discarnate

9.9

Not having a physical body and appearing like a spirit

adjective
/dɪsˈkɑrnɪt/

Literature

: descarnado

Isn't it possible that some sort of external intelligence, some discarnate entity, has crossed into our plane of existence?

Examples

The story described a discarnate being that wandered between worlds, seeking to understand human emotions.
Some people believe that a discarnate spirit can communicate with the living during a séance.
She claimed to have seen a discarnate figure appearing in the shadows of her house, whispering her name.

Synonyms

bodiless

vsdiscarnate

1 8.1

Not having a physical form, like a spirit or ghost

is a descriptive phrase stressing existing without a material or bodily form

bodyless

vsdiscarnate

1 8.2

Not having any physical shape you can touch, like a voice or shadow

refers more generally to existing without any physical or material body

unbodied

vsdiscarnate

Archaic

9.9

Not having a physical form like a ghost or spirit

uses broader wording focused on existence without bodily form

discorporate

vsdiscarnate

Literature

9.9

A being that has no physical body like a ghost

describes absence of a bodily form without referencing incarnation

Antonyms

material

2 3.5

Relating to physical things or possessions, not spiritual

embodied

5.5

Having a quality shown in a body or thing

Surface Forms

discarnate positive

Morphology

discarnate = carnate (semi-transparent) = dis + carn + ate

The negative prefix is clear, but the rare Latinate base 'carnate' is not familiar enough for most learners to make the meaning fully obvious.

Etymology

Discarnate comes from the parts dis- meaning 'not' and carn- meaning 'flesh', so it originally meant 'not flesh'. Think of the same carn- in carnivore ('flesh eater') to help you remember that discarnate means 'without a physical body' or a being that exists beyond the flesh.