Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to the mind or mental processes: "Psychic" describes phenomena, abilities, or energies that are of the mind or spirit, rather than the physical body.
   • Seemingly outside the known laws of physical science: "Psychic" can describe events or perceptions that appear to be beyond ordinary human understanding or the five senses, such as telepathy or clairvoyance.

2. Noun:

   • A person claiming or believed to have extrasensory perception (ESP): A "psychic" is an individual who is said to be sensitive to information or forces beyond the normal range of perception, often offering guidance or predictions.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The trauma had a deep psychic effect on her. (The injury to her mind was profound.)
  • He claimed to have psychic abilities that allowed him to see the future. (He said he had mental powers beyond normal sight.)

• Noun:

  • She visited a psychic to learn about her future. (She consulted a person who claims foresight.)
  • The psychic claimed to communicate with spirits. (The sensitive person said she could talk to the dead.)

Advanced Usage

• "psychic energy": Mental or spiritual force, often discussed in psychology.
  • Freud wrote about the distribution of psychic energy in the personality.
• "psychic phenomena": Observable events attributed to non-physical mental forces.
  • The study of psychic phenomena like telekinesis is called parapsychology.

Variants and Related Words

• Psychical (adj): An alternative form of "psychic," often used in more formal or academic contexts.
  • He conducted research into psychical research.
• Psychically (adv): In a way relating to the psyche or psychic abilities.
  • She was psychically exhausted from the effort.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Mental, spiritual, psychological, extrasensory, telepathic.
• Noun: Clairvoyant, medium, seer, sensitive, fortune-teller.

Related Phrases

• Psychic reading: A session where a psychic gives insights or predictions.
  • She booked a psychic reading for her birthday.
• Psychic attack: A concept in some beliefs of harmful energy sent via thought.
  • He believed he was the victim of a psychic attack.

Related Idioms

• A psychic connection: A strong, intuitive understanding between people.
  • The twins seem to have a psychic connection; they always know what the other is thinking.

Adjective

1. outside the sphere of physical science
   • psychic phenomena
2. affecting or influenced by the human mind
   • psychic energy
   • psychic trauma

Noun

1. a person apparently sensitive to things beyond the natural range of perception