psychē

From ψῡ́χω (psū́khō, “I blow”) +‎ -η (-ē), but never had the meaning "breath", even in Homer.

Compare Proto-Circassian *psa, Proto-Northwest Caucasian *pǝsA (literally “soul”).

Pronunciation

[ more ▼] 

• IPA^(key): /psyː.kʰɛ̌ː/ → /psyˈçi/ → /psiˈçi/

• Hyphenation: ψυ‧χή
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Audio (Classical Attic)

Duration: 2 seconds.0:02

Noun

ψῡχή • (psūkhḗ) f (genitive ψῡχῆς); first declension

1. The animating principle of a human or animal body, vital spirit, soul, life (the animating principle of life). [ quotations ▼]
   1. (poetic) Life-breath, lifeblood (‘the animating principle of life’ in corporeal interpretation). [ quotations ▼]
   2. (philosophy, since the early physicists) Animating principle in primary substances, the source of life and consciousness. [ quotations ▼]
   3. (Septuagint) A person [ quotations ▼]
2. Animate existence, viewed as a possession, one’s life. [ quotations ▼]
3. The spirit or soul thought of as distinct from the body and leaving it at death (the immortal part of a person). [ quotations ▼]
   1. A disembodied spirit, a shade or ghost (the spirit of a dead person). [ quotations ▼]
4. Spirit (animated attitude), conscious self, personality as centre of emotions, desires and affections, heart. [ quotations ▼]
   1. (philosophy, after Plato) The spirit of the universe, the immaterial principle of movement and life. [ quotations ▼]
5. The mind (seat or organ of thought), (the faculty of) reason. [ quotations ▼]
6. (rare, extended from the meaning ‘soul’) Butterfly. [ quotations ▼]