psychopomp
Psychopomp (noun) means a being, such as a god, spirit or person, that escorts the dead on their way to the afterlife. Example: “In the myth, the ferryman acts as a psychopomp, leading each soul across the river.”
How to use psychopomp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA guide who escorts the dead on their way to the afterlife.
It is a specialist term, mostly found in writing about religion, mythology and literature.
The initial p is silent, so the word begins with the sound of sigh.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the myth, the ferryman acts as a _____, leading each soul across the river.
Etymology
English took the word from Latin psychopompus, which came from Ancient Greek psūkhopompós. The Greek word joins psūkhḗ, meaning soul, with pompós, meaning conductor.
