anagogic

adjective

an·​a·​gog·​ic ¦a-nə-¦gä-jik How to pronounce anagogic (audio)
variants or anagogical
¦a-nə-¦gä-ji-kəl How to pronounce anagogic (audio)
1
: of, exemplifying, or based on anagoge
specifically : having a spiritual meaning or a sense referring to the heavenly life
the final or anagogic meaning that transformed the symbolic object into a spiritual truth —Malcolm Cowley
2
a
: relating to or arising from the striving of inner psychic forces toward progressive or lofty ideals
an anagogic image
b
: relating to the psychotherapeutic interpretation of dreams and with emphasis on anagogic striving
anagogic methods
anagogically
¦a-nə-¦gä-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce anagogic (audio)
adverb

Word History

Etymology

anagogic from Middle English, from Medieval Latin anagogicus, from Late Latin anagoge + Latin -icus -ic; anagogical from anagogic + -al

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anagogic was in the 14th century

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Rhymes for anagogic

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Browse Nearby Words

anagoge
anagogic
anagram
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Cite this Entry

“Anagogic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anagogic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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