psyche

¹

[ sahyk ]

verb (used with object)

, psyched, psych·ing.

1. a variant of psych ¹.

Psyche

²

[ sahy-kee ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a personification of the soul, which in the form of a beautiful girl was loved by Eros.
2. psyche,
   1. the human soul, spirit, or mind.
   2. Psychology, Psychoanalysis. the mental or psychological structure of a person, especially as a motive force.
3. Philosophy. (in Neoplatonism ) the second emanation of the One, regarded as a universal consciousness and as the animating principle of the world.
4. a female given name.

psyche

¹

/ ˈsaɪkɪ /

noun

1. the human mind or soul

Psyche

²

/ ˈsaɪkɪ /

noun

1. Greek myth a beautiful girl loved by Eros (Cupid), who became the personification of the soul

Psyche

¹

1. In Roman mythology , a beautiful girl who was visited each night in the dark by Cupid , who told her she must not try to see him. When she did try, while he was asleep, she accidentally dropped oil from her lamp on him, and he awoke and fled. After she had performed many harsh tasks set by Cupid's mother, Venus , Jupiter made her immortal, and she and Cupid were married. Her name is Greek for both “soul” and “butterfly.”

psyche

²

1. The mind, soul, or spirit, as opposed to the body. In psychology , the psyche is the center of thought, feeling, and motivation, consciously and unconsciously directing the body's reactions to its social and physical environment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of psyche¹

First recorded in 1650–60 Psyche fordef 2a; from Latin psȳchē, from Greek psȳchḗ literally, “breath,” derivative of psȳ́chein “to breathe, blow,” hence, “live” ( psycho- )

Word History and Origins

Origin of psyche¹

C17: from Latin, from Greek psukhē breath, soul; related to Greek psukhein to breathe

Example Sentences

These kinds of public investments will become more possible over time as the managed markets paradigm cements itself in the American psyche.

From Time

The idea of an onerous middle-class tax burden permeates the American political psyche.

From Washington Post

The Grinch’s troubled psyche, shaped by solitude and years of neglect, has always been an interesting layer to the juvenile story.

From Washington Post

The Third might slightly favor psyche over body, breaking the symmetry between them.

From Nautilus

I was able to keep myself relatively calm, though, for the most part, because I knew if I psyched myself out, I’d probably make some irrational decisions.

From Outside Online

He then provides some insight into his psyche - complete with Animal House reference.

From The Daily Beast

The only thing these “tests” reveal is a window into the foolish psyche of whomever applies them.

From The Daily Beast

The human psyche takes images as direction, and it affects people and makes them violent.

From The Daily Beast

And large breasts play an out-sized role in the Venezuelan national psyche.

From The Daily Beast

Love them or hate them, breast implants play an outsized role in the Venezuelan national psyche.

From The Daily Beast

So she wore her crimson homespun and her bonnet, with her bronze-gold hair gathered under it in the same old Psyche knot.

From Project Gutenberg

So we see Psyche borne aloft by Zephyr through the twilight to the nuptial abode of Eros.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems to be the same termed psuke or psyche by the Greeks.

From Project Gutenberg

One gives the name "psyche" to a very small butterfly which flutters out rather clumsily in the morning; it is the male.

From Project Gutenberg

Psyche was frightened by the terrible cries and the wretched dark faces of the souls in Hades.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ego
• mind
• soul
• spirit
• subconscious