ectoplasm
ectoplasm Lexical Profile
ectoplasm Game Scores & Validity
• noun
In spiritualism and parapsychology, a supernatural, viscous substance that supposedly exudes from the body of a medium during a trance and forms the physical manifestation of spirits.
"Vintage photographs from Victorian séances often depicted mediums draped in gauze that was claimed to be luminous ectoplasm."
In cell biology, the outer, relatively rigid and transparent layer of cytoplasm in certain cells, especially amoebas and other protozoans.
"Under the microscope, the clear ectoplasm at the edge of the amoeba can be easily distinguished from the granular inner endoplasm."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century from Ancient Greek 'ektos' (outside) and 'plasma' (something molded or formed). The spiritualist sense was introduced in 1894 by French physiologist and Nobel laureate Charles Richet to describe the supposed physical manifestations observed during séances.