Definition of psychic

The word "psychic" originates from the Greek word ψυχή (psyche), meaning "mind" or "soul". In English, the term "psychic" was first used in the 17th century to refer to the study of the human mind and its functions. Over time, the term evolved to encompass concepts such as consciousness, intuition, and the supernatural. In the 19th century, the term "psychic" began to be used to describe people who claimed to possess extraordinary abilities, such as clairvoyance, telepathy, and mediumship. These individuals were often referred to as "psychics" or "mediums", suggesting that they had access to information or abilities that were not available to the average person. Today, the term "psychic" is often used to describe anyone who claims to have paranormal or supernatural abilities, or who purports to communicate with the spirit world. However, the scientific community generally approaches claims of psychic abilities with a healthy dose of skepticism, and many consider them to be pseudoscientific or anecdotal.