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omphaloskepsis

[om-fuh-loh-skep-sis]
noun
  1. contemplation of one's navel as part of a mystical exercise.
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Origin of omphaloskepsis

< Greek omphal(ós) omphalos + -o- -o- + sképsis act of looking
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Word Origin and History for omphaloskepsis

n.

1925, from omphalo- + Greek -skepsis, from skeptesthai "to reflect, look, view" (see scope (n.1)). Also omphaloscopy (1931), and used in the sense of "navel-gazer" were omphalopsychic (1892), omphalopsychite (1882).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper