enthymesis
/ˌɛnθɪˈmiːsɪs/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
ἐνθύμησις — consideration, reflection, thought
Overview
Meaning Now
- A process of thinking or consideration; specifically, in ancient philosophical and medical contexts, a mental process involving the integration of thought and emotion.
Literal older meaning
thinking in or with, or the state of having a thought in mind
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
ἐνθύμησις
Earliest period
Classical antiquity
Journey
The term is closely related to 'enthymeme' (a rhetorical syllogism with a missing premise). While 'enthymeme' became standard in logic, 'enthymesis' remained a broader, more archaic term for the cognitive process of deliberation or emotional reflection.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek (4th century BCE)
ἐνθύμησις
“The act of thinking or considering; a thought.”
Used by Aristotle to denote a thought process or the content of thought.
- Hellenistic Greek
ἐνθύμησις
“Mental anxiety or deep emotional consideration.”
Medical texts sometimes used it for 'distressing thoughts' or 'brooding'.
- Latin (Scientific/Scholastic)
enthymesis
“A technical term for reflection or ruminative thought.”
Used in medieval and Renaissance translations of Greek philosophical texts.
- English (17th century)
enthymesis
“Reflection or thought.”
Rarely used, often superseded by related terms like 'enthymeme'.
Connections
Word parts
en-
prefix
in
thymos
root
spirit, soul, mind
-esis
suffix
process or action
Related across languages
Ancient Greek
ἐνθυμέομαι
to lay to heart, to reflect
Explore next
Related to enthymesis
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.