Clairvoyant
Clairvoyant was borrowed directly from French in 1671, and was originally used to simply mean “having insight”. In the 1840’s it came to mean “having pyschic ability”. Today it specifically means “being able to see objects or events psychicially”, while the newer term clairaudience (invented by analogy from clairvoyant) means “being able to hear objects or events psychically”.
In French, clairvoyant came from clair (”clear”) plus voyant “seeing”. Clair is related to clear and clarity, and is derived ultimately from the Proto Indo European root kele, meaning “shout”. Voyant is related to voyeur, vision and advise, and — surprise! — is derived from Proto Indo European root weid, which is also the ancestor of guide.
The primary stressed syllable of clairvoyant is “voy”, so that’s where I’ll start the phonosemantic analysis. “Voy” starts with smooth, vibrating energy (”v”) that is wholesome and grounded (long “o”) and carries on strong indefinitely (long “e”). This is the part of the word that corresponds to “seeing”. “Clair”, meanwhile, starts with a container (”k”) filled with light or air (”l”); its energy is flexible and spread out wide (long “a”) and it has great strength (”r”) — this is the part of the word that corresponds to the otherworldliness of the seeing. The final syllable, “-ant”, is found in lots of words and means “someone who does something”, as in supplicant, dedicant, adherant, etc. Its energy is balanced and flat (short “a”), which follows a path of noble purpose (”nt”).
Thanks to Jessa for suggesting this word of the day.
May 19th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Oh! Hey, thanks for using a suggested word so quickly!
The image you used is very apt, as well.
I think it quite amusing that the roots of the word mean “shout guides” because that is what they have to do so often to get our attention!
Thanks again!
May 19th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Jeff,
I just spent the morning trying to write about why I identify specifically as having clairaudient intution instead of clairvoyant — when I actually DO receive a lot of clairvoyant information — I just can’t translate a lot of it…
How awesome that there is a connection to SHOUTING, guides, and I am comforted by the original meaning “having insight.”
P.S.
I shout at my guides more than they shout at me.
May 19th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
I chuckled at that “booty” quip, too.
I didn’t realize we could suggest words! Some words I’d like to see: praise, skin, call, mist, bewilder(ment), sphere, stone… For starters.
This is a great blog.
Makes my day, being able to stop by and read!
May 20th, 2007 at 6:17 am
It’s great to get so much praise and encouragement!
I wonder if I’m the world’s first Spiritual Lexicographer? Imagine putting that job description down on a tax form or something…
We should talk more about suggesting terms. It’s something I definitely want everyone to do — I aim to please, and I take it as feedback as well. I think the words we explore here are reflections of what we’re collectively working on, spiritually.
Slade has suggested that I set up a TaDa list or something similar somewhere. However, TaDa lists require you to submit your email addresses to me so that I can let you edit them.
I could also set up a separate “suggestions” page, where you can come by and drop a comment anytime, and see what other people have suggested. The advantage over the current system would simply be that all the suggestions would be in one place.
Thoughts?
May 20th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Well, I have no idea what a “TaDa list” is… but I think it would be nice to have all suggestions in the same place (it’d probably be easier for you to keep track of them, too). Those are the extent of my thoughts, since I’m not horribly internet-savvy. (Heh, there’s another one–”savvy”–which I think is related to the French word, “savoir,” meaning “to know,” correct? Although I seem to recall from my high school French class days, there’s a subtle difference between “savoir” and “connaitre”… though I can’t remember what it is).
Words are cool.
May 20th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Slade,
I’ll write an article at my site about translating intution soon. I’ll put it on my topics list.
Jeff, Perhaps just a post where folks could leave comments on words they want to see? I do not know what a tada list is either.
Another word suggest. Saviour. Jesus (can names be suggested?) Almighty, Choir and the big kahuna…
Prayer.
Did I suggest that already? Not sure. So yeah, having a list where we could see what has alrady been suggested and by whom would be cool.
Isn’t positive feedback great?
May 22nd, 2007 at 5:24 am
Thanks for the suggestions! I’m compiling a running list…
What I will do is add two pages:
* One for existing posts. For now it’ll just be a list of links, arranged alphabetically.
* One for future posts. Again, it will be alphabetical. I will add a “Comments” form to that one, where you can add suggestions. Periodically I’ll update the list of future posts with suggestions from the comments.
Sound good?
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Sounds excellent! Thanks for setting it up.
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Jeff,
Cool! My analog list is itching to be free from my journal. I’ll come back tomorrow over coffee and pack some suggestions up in here!
Jessa,
I’ll be excited to read your thoughts about intuition and how you work through translation. I DEVOUR other people’s intuitive processes — even though I always come back to working through it on my own; it’s still quite fascinating.
I’ve added you to my collection of Spiritual Blogs and will definitely be exploring and commenting over there in your space. Good to meet ya!
May 24th, 2007 at 3:06 am
Unfortunately, it may be a few days before I get the new pages up. Please bear with me!
May 25th, 2007 at 8:22 am
[...] clairvoyant we saw that “cl” is a container filled with light or air; the addition of the short [...]