spiritism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowformal
Quick answer
What does “spiritism” mean?
The belief in or practice of communicating with the spirits of the dead.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The belief in or practice of communicating with the spirits of the dead.
A philosophical or religious movement involving spiritual evolution, reincarnation, and spirit communication, often associated with the works of Allan Kardec.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both varieties use the term similarly, though 'spiritualism' may be more common in everyday UK speech.
Connotations
Neutral in academic discussions, but can carry negative connotations in skeptical or scientific contexts.
Frequency
Rare in general usage; more frequent in religious, historical, or anthropological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “spiritism” in a Sentence
engage in spiritismadhere to spiritismreject spiritismVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; not applicable in standard business contexts.
Academic
Used in religious studies, anthropology, and history when discussing spiritual movements.
Everyday
Infrequent; may appear in conversations about paranormal activities or alternative beliefs.
Technical
Specific to spiritualist practices and philosophies, such as in Kardecist literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spiritism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spiritism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spiritism”
- Using 'spiritism' when 'spiritualism' is intended, or vice versa, due to overlapping meanings.
- Mispronouncing as /spaɪˈrɪtɪzəm/ instead of the standard /ˈspɪrɪtɪzəm/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly; while often used interchangeably, spiritism specifically refers to the Kardecist tradition, whereas spiritualism is a broader term encompassing various beliefs in spirit communication.
Yes, in many contexts, spiritism is regarded as a religious or philosophical movement with organized practices and doctrines, particularly in regions like Brazil and Europe.
Common practices include holding séances, using mediums or psychics, and employing tools like ouija boards to facilitate communication with spirits.
Mainstream science typically views spiritism as pseudoscience due to lack of empirical evidence, though it remains a subject of study in anthropology and psychology.
The belief in or practice of communicating with the spirits of the dead.
Spiritism is usually formal in register.
Spiritism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɪr.ɪ.tɪz.əm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɪr.ɪ.tɪz.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “call upon the spirits”
- “in the spirit world”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'spirit' + 'ism', so it's an 'ism' or belief system centered on spirits.
Conceptual Metaphor
Communication with spirits as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of spiritism?