spiritisme

spiritualism

noun spee-ree-TEES-muh Rare

Usage Note

Spiritisme refers specifically to the 19th-century belief system — associated with Allan Kardec in France — that the living can communicate with the spirits of the dead, typically through a medium. It differs from the broader philosophical term spiritualisme (spiritualism as opposed to materialism). Le spiritisme remains practiced in France and especially Brazil, where Kardecism has millions of followers.

Examples

"Elle s'intéresse au spiritisme depuis l'enfance."

Natural Translation

She has been interested in spiritualism since childhood.

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