spirit writing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Very Low Frequency (specialist, historical, or esoteric contexts)Specialist / Historical / Literary / Esoteric
Quick answer
What does “spirit writing” mean?
The practice of allegedly receiving and transcribing messages from spirits or other non-physical entities, often through automatic or trance-like writing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice of allegedly receiving and transcribing messages from spirits or other non-physical entities, often through automatic or trance-like writing.
A written message, text, or piece of literature purportedly authored by a discarnate spirit and conveyed through a living human medium; can also refer more generally to any form of automatic writing claimed to have a spiritual or paranormal source.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally historical/specialist in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term connotes spiritualism, séances, and Victorian-era paranormal investigation. It may carry a skeptical or antiquated tone in modern secular contexts.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary general use. Slightly more likely to appear in British contexts due to the historical prominence of British spiritualist societies, but this distinction is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “spirit writing” in a Sentence
[Medium] produced spirit writing.[Spirit/Entity] communicated via spirit writing.The spirit writing contained [message/prophecy].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spirit writing” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The medium's spirit writing was published posthumously.
- Victorian archives contain numerous examples of purported spirit writing.
- The study focused on the linguistic patterns found in spirit writing.
American English
- The séance concluded with a page of spirit writing.
- She claimed the spirit writing contained messages from her grandfather.
- Collectors of paranormal memorabilia seek original spirit writing manuscripts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, or parapsychology papers discussing spiritualist practices.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only be used when specifically discussing spiritualism or the paranormal.
Technical
A technical term within parapsychology and the study of spiritualist movements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spirit writing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spirit writing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spirit writing”
- Using it as a synonym for 'beautiful or inspiring writing' (e.g., 'Her poetry was spirit writing').
- Confusing it with 'spirit *of* writing', which refers to the essence or attitude of a literary age.
- Misspelling as 'spirit *writhing*'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related. 'Automatic writing' is the broader term for writing produced without conscious thought or control. 'Spirit writing' is a specific type of automatic writing where the source is explicitly attributed to a discarnate spirit or entity.
Mainstream science attributes purported spirit writing to subconscious mental processes, dissociation, cryptomnesia (hidden memory), or deliberate fabrication. It is not accepted as evidence of communication with spirits.
No, it is exclusively a compound noun. The activity would be described as 'to produce spirit writing' or 'to engage in spirit writing'.
A famous alleged example is 'The Oahspe: A New Bible' (1882), which its author, John Ballou Newbrough, claimed was received through automatic writing from spiritual beings.
The practice of allegedly receiving and transcribing messages from spirits or other non-physical entities, often through automatic or trance-like writing.
Spirit writing is usually specialist / historical / literary / esoteric in register.
Spirit writing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɪrɪt ˌraɪtɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɪrɪt ˌraɪtɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A pen in the hand of the spirit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'spirit' guiding someone's 'writing' hand.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRITING IS A CONDUIT / WRITING IS A CHANNEL (for spiritual forces).
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you most likely encounter the term 'spirit writing' as a technical subject of study?