definitions

psychokinesis

[ sahy-koh-ki-nee-sis, -kahy- ]
/ ˌsaɪ koʊ kɪˈni sɪs, -kaɪ- /
|

noun

the purported ability to move or deform inanimate objects, as metal spoons, through mental processes.

Nearby words

psychographer, psychographic, psychographics, psychohistory, psychoimmunology, psychokinesis, psychol., psycholepsy, psycholinguistics, psychological, psychological block

Origin of psychokinesis

First recorded in 1910–15; psycho- + -kinesis
Also called telekinesis.
Related formspsy·cho·ki·net·ic [sahy-koh-ki-net-ik, -kahy-] /ˌsaɪ koʊ kɪˈnɛt ɪk, -kaɪ-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for psychokinesis

  • That is if we assume that the process is at all parallel with the phenomena of psychokinesis and levitation.

    Out Like a Light|Gordon Randall Garrett

  • In effect, what appeared to be foreknowledge was psychokinesis—the same phenomenon as the movement of crumbs of cheese by my rat.

    The Leader|William Fitzgerald Jenkins (AKA Murray Leinster)

  • I caught an occasional word, like 'oxygen' and 'psychokinesis.'

    Rebels of the Red Planet|Charles Louis Fontenay

  • "You claimed that the human mind possessed powers of psychokinesis," I said.

    Pythias|Frederik Pohl

British Dictionary definitions for psychokinesis

psychokinesis

/ (ˌsaɪkəʊkɪˈniːsɪs, -kaɪ-) /

noun

(in parapsychology) alteration of the state of an object by mental influence alone, without any physical intervention
psychiatry a state of violent uncontrolled motor activity
Derived Formspsychokinetic (ˌsaɪkəʊkɪˈnɛtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for psychokinesis

C20: from psycho- + Greek kinēsis motion
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

Medicine definitions for psychokinesis

psychokinesis

[ sī′kō-kĭ-nē′sĭs, -kī- ]

n. pl. psy•cho•ki•ne•ses (-sēz)

An uncontrolled, maniacal outburst, resulting from defective inhibition.
The production or control of motion, especially in inanimate and remote objects, purportedly by the exercise of psychic powers.
Related formspsy′cho•ki•net′ic (-kĭ-nĕt′ĭk, -kī-) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.