'non-psychical' originates from English, combining the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') with 'psychical' (from Greek 'psukhē' meaning 'soul, mind' via Late Latin/French formation).

'psychical' derives ultimately from Greek 'psukhē' → Late Latin/Medieval Latin forms relating to 'psyche' → modern English 'psychic/psychical' (established in the 19th century); 'non-' was then prefixed in modern English to form 'non-psychical'.

Initially 'psychical' meant 'of the soul or mind'; in later usage it came to be associated with 'psychic' or 'paranormal' phenomena. 'Non-psychical' therefore evolved as a modern formation used to indicate the absence of such mental or paranormal causes—i.e., a non-mental or physical origin.