I. ˈsīkik, -kēk adjective
Etymology: Greek psychikos of the soul, of life, from psychē soul, life + -ikos -ic
1. : of, arising in, or relating to the psyche : psychogenic
terrorism and fear create a low psychic state — Lewis Mumford
psychic disturbances
2. : not physical or organic : lying outside the sphere of physical science or knowledge : governed by, concerned with, or acting on the psyche or self
a momentary fusion of my own being with the souls of others brought into a psychic intimacy by some affinity of emotion or thought — G.W.Russell
3. : sensitive to nonphysical forces and influences : marked by extraordinary or mysterious sensitivity, perception, or understanding
the naval battle … was recorded in all the guide books and required no psychic powers to reveal — Upton Sinclair
4. : physically delicate ; specifically of a hand : long and narrow often fragile in appearance with slender tapering fingers and long almond-shaped nails usually held by palmists to indicate a visionary gentle trusting nature lacking in practical or worldly qualities — compare mixed
Synonyms: see mental
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a person apparently sensitive to nonphysical forces
b. : one serving or capable of serving as a spiritualistic medium
c. : mentalist
2.
a. : psychic phenomena
b. psychics plural but singular in construction : the study of purely psychic, mental, or spiritual phenomena and laws
3. Gnosticism : a being endowed with soul and belonging to the second of the three classes into which mankind was divided — compare pneumatic 1
4. : psychic bid