psyche
[ sahyk ]
/ saɪk /
verb (used with object), psyched, psych·ing.
Words nearby psyche
Definition for psyche (2 of 3)
Psyche
[ sahy-kee ]
/ ˈsaɪ ki /
noun
Classical Mythology. a personification of the soul, which in the form of a beautiful girl was loved by Eros.
(lowercase) the human soul, spirit, or mind.
(lowercase) Psychology, Psychoanalysis. the mental or psychological structure of a person, especially as a motive force.
Neoplatonism. the second emanation of the One, regarded as a universal consciousness and as the animating principle of the world.
a female given name.
Origin of Psyche
1650–60 for def 2; < Latin psȳchē < Greek psȳchḗ literally, breath, derivative of psȳ́chein to breathe, blow, hence, live (see psycho-)
Definition for psyche (3 of 3)
psych1
or psyche
[ sahyk ]
/ saɪk /
verb (used with object) Informal.
to intimidate or frighten psychologically, or make nervous (often followed by out): to psych out the competition.
to prepare psychologically to be in the right frame of mind or to give one's best (often followed by up): to psych oneself up for an interview.
to figure out psychologically; decipher (often followed by out): to psych out a problem.
Origin of psych
11915–20 in earlier sense “to subject to psychoanalysis”; originally a shortening of psychoanalyze; in later use (especially indefs 1, 2) perhaps independent use of psych-
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for psyche
British Dictionary definitions for psyche (1 of 3)
psyche
/ (ˈsaɪkɪ) /
noun
the human mind or soul
Word Origin for psyche
C17: from Latin, from Greek psukhē breath, soul; related to Greek psukhein to breathe
British Dictionary definitions for psyche (2 of 3)
Psyche
/ (ˈsaɪkɪ) /
noun
Greek myth a beautiful girl loved by Eros (Cupid), who became the personification of the soul
British Dictionary definitions for psyche (3 of 3)
Word Origin for psych
C20: shortened from psychoanalyse
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for psyche
psyche
[ sī′kē ]
n.
The mind functioning as the center of thought, emotion, and behavior and consciously or unconsciously mediating the body's responses to the social and physical environment.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cultural definitions for psyche (1 of 2)
Psyche
[ (seye-kee) ]
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.”
Cultural definitions for psyche (2 of 2)
psyche
[ (seye-kee) ]
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.