cathexis
[ kuh-thek-sis ]
/ kəˈθɛk sɪs /
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noun, plural ca·thex·es [kuh-thek-seez]. /kəˈθɛk siz/. Psychoanalysis.
the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.
the charge of psychic energy so invested.
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Origin of cathexis
OTHER WORDS FROM cathexis
ca·thec·tic [kuh-thek-tik], /kəˈθɛk tɪk/, adjectiveWords nearby cathexis
catheter, catheter embolus, catheterization, catheterize, cathetus, cathexis, Cathie, Cathleen, Catho, cathode, cathode dark space
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for cathexis
Drooling over such luxury was supposed to result in a cathexis of the Ralph Lauren label.
In the other case the object is retained, and there is a hyper-cathexis of it by the ego and at the ego's expense.
Group Psychology and The Analysis of The Ego|Sigmund FreudIs it quite certain that identification presupposes that object-cathexis has been given up?
Group Psychology and The Analysis of The Ego|Sigmund Freud
British Dictionary definitions for cathexis
cathexis
/ (kəˈθɛksɪs) /
noun plural -thexes (-ˈθɛksiːz)
psychoanal concentration of psychic energy on a single goal
Word Origin for cathexis
C20: from New Latin, from Greek kathexis, from katekhein to hold fast, intended to render German Besetzung a taking possession of
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for cathexis
cathexis
[ kə-thĕk′sĭs ]
n. pl. ca•thex•es (-thĕk′sēz)
Concentration of emotional energy on an object or idea.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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