psychopomp

[ sahy-koh-pomp ]

noun

1. a person who conducts spirits or souls to the other world, as Hermes or Charon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychopomp¹

First recorded in 1860–65, psychopomp is from the Greek word psȳchopompós conductor of souls. See psycho-, pomp

Example Sentences

The rle of general conductor of souls to the realms of the underworld, however, came to be given to Hermes, the psychopomp.

From Project Gutenberg

Hermes himself, the Psychopomp, shall lead, and Malahide shall welcome us.

From Project Gutenberg

The winds were now the maruts, or spirits of the breeze, serving Indra, the sky-god; again they were the great psychopomp himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Hermes is the god whose mission it is to lead souls down to the realm of Hadesthe psychopomp, as in this office he is called.

From Project Gutenberg

As the souls of the departed are symbolized as rats, so is the psychopomp himself often figured as a dog.

From Project Gutenberg