'metempsychosis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'metempsychōsis,' where 'meta-' meant 'beyond' and 'empsychos' meant 'having a soul.'

'metempsychōsis' transformed into the Latin word 'metempsychosis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'metempsychosis.'

Initially, it meant 'transmigration of the soul,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.