psyche

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason
noun the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
noun (Greek mythology) a beautiful princess loved by Cupid who visited her at night and told her she must not try to see him; became the personification of the soul

Learned borrowing from Latin psychē, itself a borrowing from Ancient Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ, “soul”).

I am the Signora Psyche Zenobia. — The Works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven Edition: Table Of Contents And Index Of The Five Volumes, Edgar Allan Poe
The Greeks represented Psyche, the soul, with butterfly wings. — Story Hour Readings: Seventh Year, E. C. (Ernest Clark) Hartwell
It is accepted on that basis by her own psyche." — Occasion ... for Disaster, Randall Garrett

mind, head, brain, nous

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