metempsychosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareLiterary, Technical, Philosophical, Academic, Formal
Quick answer
What does “metempsychosis” mean?
The transmigration or passing of the soul after death into another body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The transmigration or passing of the soul after death into another body.
In philosophy and religion, the concept of the rebirth or reincarnation of a soul in a new physical form or body, often associated with cycles of existence and moral consequence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences between British and American English. The word is equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Elicits connotations of ancient Greek philosophy, Platonism, Pythagoreanism, mysticism, and literary sophistication.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties; encountered primarily in academic, philosophical, or esoteric contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “metempsychosis” in a Sentence
the metempsychosis of [soul/spirit]believe in metempsychosisVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metempsychosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The soul was believed to metempsychosise into various animal forms.
American English
- The soul was believed to metempsychose into various animal forms.
adverb
British English
- He spoke metempsychotically about his past lives.
American English
- The philosopher described existence metempsychotically.
adjective
British English
- The metempsychotic journey of the spirit was central to his belief system.
American English
- The metempsychotic cycle was a key element of the ancient doctrine.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in philosophy, religious studies, and classical literature departments to discuss historical doctrines of the soul.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be perceived as highly obscure.
Technical
Used as a precise term within comparative religion, philosophy, and theosophy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metempsychosis”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metempsychosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metempsychosis”
- Misspelling (e.g., metempsychsis, metempsychoses).
- Incorrect pronunciation, especially stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., me-TEM-psy-cho-sis).
- Using it as a synonym for simple change or transformation without the core element of soul migration.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It comes from Late Latin, based on Greek 'metempsychōsis', from 'meta-' (change) + 'en' (in) + 'psychē' (soul).
It is a specific type of reincarnation doctrine, often with a philosophical or classical Greek context, but in broad usage they are synonyms.
Almost exclusively in academic texts on philosophy (especially Plato, Pythagoras), comparative religion, esoteric traditions, and advanced literary analysis (e.g., Joyce, Eliot).
In British English: /ˌmɛtɛmsʌɪˈkəʊsɪs/ (met-em-sy-KOH-sis). In American English: /ˌmɛtəmsaɪˈkoʊsɪs/ (met-em-sy-KOH-sis). Stress is on the 'cho' syllable.
The transmigration or passing of the soul after death into another body.
Metempsychosis is usually literary, technical, philosophical, academic, formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Meet-EM-psy-CHO-sis: Imagine meeting your psyche (soul) again in a new CHOsis (chaotic new situation/life).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE SOUL IS A TRAVELLER / LIFE IS A CYCLE. The soul journeys from one bodily vessel to another.
Practice
Quiz
Metempsychosis is most closely associated with which of the following?