Reincarnation

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌɹiːɪŋkɑː(ɹ)ˈneɪʃən/

Definitions

  1. The belief or concept that a soul returns to life by being born again in a different body
  2. The idea that after death, a spirit lives anew through a fresh physical form
  3. The notion that a person's essence comes back to existence through another living being following death

Etymology: The concept at the heart of this term—one’s soul or spirit beginning a new life in a different body after death—has ancient roots in religious and philosophical traditions, especially within Hinduism, Buddhism, and certain ancient Greek thought. The English word itself, however, is a relatively modern coinage, formed by combining Latin components to encapsulate this profound idea. The term emerged in English during the 17th century, constructed from the Latin prefix "re-" meaning "again" and "incarnatio," which means "embodiment" or "enfleshment," derived from "in-" (into) and "caro" (flesh). Thus, it literally conveys the idea of "entering the flesh again." This formation was likely motivated by the need to express Eastern philosophical concepts in the language of Western scholars and theologians who were encountering reincarnation through translations and discussions of Indian and other ancient beliefs. Before this term was standardized, English speakers described the idea in various circumlocutions or borrowed from other languages, but "reincarnation" provided a succinct and elegant way to refer explicitly to the soul’s rebirth in a new body. The word’s classical Latin roots lent it an air of scholarly legitimacy and made it accessible for theological and philosophical debates during the period of increasing interest in comparative religion and spirituality. Interestingly, the Latin-derived word was coined long after the concept itself had been well established in world cultures, reflecting how English often adapts classical language elements to express foreign philosophical ideas. Over time, it has become the standard term in English to discuss this spiritual doctrine, capturing both the literal sense of "flesh again" and the broader metaphysical implications.

Synonyms: rebirth, transmigration

Antonyms: extinction