metempsychosis

/məˌtɛmpsəˈkoʊsɪs/
noun
  1. The belief that after death, a person's soul moves into a new body (human or animal) to live another life.
    • The philosopher taught that metempsychosis allows the soul to learn through many lives.
    • Many ancient cultures believed in metempsychosis, or the rebirth of the soul.
    • In some religions, metempsychosis means you could be reborn as an animal.