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ψύχος

psýchos

G5592 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Coolness; a state of being cold or chill, typically referring to a physical sensation or condition of the air, body, or other material. The word primarily denotes the experience of low temperature, as contrasted with heat or warmth, and sometimes extends metaphorically to emotional distance or lack of passion, although such figurative usage is rare or secondary.

Semantic Range

coolness, cold (of air or objects), chill, a state of low temperature, (figurative) emotional coldness or loss of fervor

Root / Etymology

From the verb ψύχω (to breathe, blow, or make cool; to cool by blowing or fanning). The noun form is derived by addition of the nominal suffix -ος to the root ψυχ-, denoting a state or quality relating to coolness. Cognate with related Greek terms such as ψυχρός (cold, cool), both ultimately from the proto-Indo-European root *bhes- (to blow).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ψύχος is widely used to describe literal physical coldness, such as the chilliness of air, water, or the environment. It appears in various literary, medical, and scientific texts from Homer through the Koine period, and can contrast with θερμότης (heat). In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 24:12), the term is used figuratively to describe the cooling or diminishing of love or enthusiasm, reflecting a broader metaphorical application in later Greek. The literal sense remains primary in most contemporaneous sources. Standard English translations often render this as 'cold' or 'coldness', but these may not capture subtle emotional or metaphorical nuances when present.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ψύχω; coolness:--cold.

Root Family

ψύχος (psýchos) — coolness, coldness, chill, state of low temperature

Root ψυχ- to be cold, to cool, to make cold

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5592-02 ψῦχος psuchos N NOM N SG cold coolness cold 2
G5592-01 ψύχει psuchei N DAT N SG cold in coldness coldness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5592-02 John 18:18 ψῦχος psuchos N NOM N SG cold coolness cold
G5592-02 Acts 28:2 ψῦχος psuchos N ACC N SG cold coolness cold
G5592-01 2 Corinthians 11:27 ψύχει psuchei N DAT N SG cold in coldness coldness
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