mysl

Mysl is the ASCII rendering of the Polish noun myśl, typically meaning "thought" or "idea." In Polish and other Slavic languages, there are cognates with similar meanings, such as Russian мысль (mysl'), Ukrainian мисль (mysl'), and Czech myšlenka. The term covers mental content, thinking, and intention, and is used in both everyday language and philosophical contexts. The related verb is myśleć, meaning "to think," and related forms include myśl (singular, feminine), myśli (plural), and phrases like myśl przewodnia (guiding idea).

Etymology: myśl derives from Proto-Slavic *myslь, linking it with cognate words across East and West Slavic languages. The ASCII form "mysl" appears in plain-text contexts, such as computing, indexing, or language-learning materials, where diacritics are not available.

Usage notes: In Polish, myśl can denote a concrete thought, an opinion, or an idea, and it also extends to the act of thinking (myślenie) or considering something (przemyśleć). In philosophy and cognitive discourse, the term is used to refer to mental content or processes. While myśl is broad, the term pomysł is more often used for a specific idea or proposal. The distinction varies by context and connotation.