free association

American  

noun

Psychoanalysis.

1. the uncensored expression of the ideas, impressions, etc., passing through the mind of the analysand, a technique used to facilitate access to the unconscious.

---

free association British  

noun

1. psychoanal a method of exploring a person's unconscious by eliciting words and thoughts that are associated with key words provided by a psychoanalyst

2. a spontaneous mental process whereby ideas, words, or images suggest other ideas, etc, in a nonlogical chain reaction

---

Etymology

Origin of free association

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The compacts of free association with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau were negotiated to resolve a specific historical reality.

From The Wall Street Journal

Would the compact of free association model work with Greenland?

From The Wall Street Journal

A point of comparison is the Marshall Islands, which recently renewed a so-called compact of free association with the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

One approach discussed by both Americans and Greenlanders who are open to alignment with the U.S. is a “compact of free association,” like ones between the U.S. and small Pacific Island nations.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s really the pleasure of adding ideas to other ideas, making free associations.”

From Los Angeles Times