omphalopsychite

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Byzantine Greek ὀμφαλοψυχίτης (omphalopsukhítēs), from ὀμφαλός (omphalós, “navel”) + ψυχή (psukhḗ, “soul”) + -ίτης (-ítēs, “-ite”), i.e. “one with his soul in his navel”, referring to the practice by some Hesychasts of gazing on the navel as a means to concentrate during meditation. By surface analysis, omphalo- +‎ psych- +‎ -ite.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɒmfələˈsaɪkaɪt/

Noun

omphalopsychite (plural omphalopsychites)

1. (theology, derogatory) A Hesychast.

Derived terms

• omphalopsychic

Further reading

• “Omphalopsychite”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.