apsychical
|a-psy-chi-cal|
/əˈsaɪkɪkəl/
not related to mind/soul
Etymology
'apsychical' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'psychē', where the prefix 'a-' meant 'not' and 'psychē' meant 'soul' or 'mind'.
'psychē' entered Latin/Greek-derived scientific vocabulary as 'psychicus'/'psychical' (relating to the mind or soul), and the English adjective 'psychical' later combined with the negative prefix 'a-' to form 'apsychical'.
Initially related to matters of the soul or mind ('of the soul/mind'), but with the negative prefix 'a-' it came to mean 'not of the soul/mind' or 'not psychical', often used to indicate lack of psychic involvement.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not psychical; lacking psychic, mental, or spiritual qualities or faculties.
He described the reaction as apsychical, driven purely by bodily reflexes rather than any conscious intention.
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Adjective 2
(in parapsychology) Not attributable to psychical or psychic phenomena; explainable by ordinary physical causes.
After investigation they concluded the occurrence was apsychical and not the result of telepathy or clairvoyance.
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Last updated: 2025/09/28 16:33