an·a·go·ge
ˈa-nə-ˌgō-jē
variants
or anagogy
plural anagoges or anagogies
: interpretation of a word, passage, or text (as of Scripture or poetry) that finds beyond the literal, allegorical, and moral senses a fourth and ultimate spiritual or mystical sense
an·a·gog·ic
¦a-nə-¦gä-jik
variants
or anagogical
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
Cite this Entry
“Anagoge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anagoge. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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