mind over matter

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Willpower can overcome physical obstacles, as in Margaret was determined to go to the wedding even on crutches—mind over matter. This idea was already expressed by Virgil in the Aeneid (c. 19 b.c.) as Mens agitat molem, “Mind moves matter,” and it appeared in various forms in English by 1700.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Words nearby mind over matter

mind of one's own, have a, mind one's own business, mind one's p's and q's, Mindoro, mind out, mind over matter, mind-pop, mind reader, mind reading, mindset, mind's eye

How to use mind over matter in a sentence

It was all the outcome of his wonderful determination—the influence of mind over matter.
The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 28, April 1893|Various
Does not man only accumulate experience, and is there any limit to the power of mind over matter?
The Popular Science Monthly, October, 1900|Various
Each achieved the conquest of mind over matter, and each exhibited the exceeding manliness of a noble life and character.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 6 of 8|Various
He got what pleasure any man could out of that triumph of mind over matter, but the shadow was creeping up his life.
Literary Friends And Acquaintances|William Dean Howells

The results of many years of experiment are here on exhibition, and they are remarkable triumphs of mind over matter.
The Cathedral Towns and Intervening Places of England, Ireland and Scotland:|Thomas W. Silloway