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neurosis

[noo-roh-sis, nyoo-]
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noun, plural neu·ro·ses [noo-roh-seez, nyoo-] /nʊˈroʊ siz, nyʊ-/. Psychiatry.
  1. Also called psychoneurosis. a functional disorder in which feelings of anxiety, obsessional thoughts, compulsive acts, and physical complaints without objective evidence of disease, in various degrees and patterns, dominate the personality.
  2. a relatively mild personality disorder typified by excessive anxiety or indecision and a degree of social or interpersonal maladjustment.
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Origin of neurosis

From New Latin, dating back to 1770–80; see origin at neur-, -osis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

inhibition, breakdown, psychopathy, abnormality, madness, aberration, derangement, insanity, deviation, phobia, affliction, instability, compulsion, obsession, hysteria, maladjustment, neurasthenia

Examples from the Web for neurosis

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Was this, then, some special case of phthisis complicated by neurosis?

  • In both sexes there is a tendency to neurosis and degeneration.

  • The neurosis is merely a wrong attitude to life and its problems.

    Psychoanalysis

    Andr Tridon

  • Some forms of neurosis appear to be limited to certain ethnic groups.

    The Races of Man

    Joseph Deniker

  • How did we gain our knowledge of these psychological factors in the case of neurosis?

    Totem and Taboo

    Sigmund Freud

British Dictionary definitions for neurosis

neurosis

noun plural -ses (-siːz)
  1. a relatively mild mental disorder, characterized by symptoms such as hysteria, anxiety, depression, or obsessive behaviourAlso called: psychoneurosis
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for neurosis

n.

1776, "functional derangement arising from disorders of the nervous system," coined by Scottish physician William Cullen (1710-1790) from Greek neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + Modern Latin -osis "abnormal condition." Used in a general psychological sense since 1871; clinical use in psychiatry dates from 1923.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
neurosis in Medicine

neurosis

(nu-rō′sĭs)
n. pl. neu•ro•ses (-sēz)
  1. A psychological state characterized by excessive anxiety or insecurity, compensated for by various defense mechanisms and lacking evidence of neurologic or other organic disease. No longer used in psychiatric diagnosis.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
neurosis in Science

neurosis

[nu-rō′sĭs]
  1. A psychological state characterized by excessive anxiety or insecurity without evidence of neurologic or other organic disease, sometimes accompanied by defensive or immature behaviors. This term is no longer used in psychiatric diagnosis.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
neurosis in Culture

neurosis

[(noo-roh-sis, nyoo-roh-sis)]

A mental disorder marked by anxiety or fear. Neurosis is less severe than psychosis. (See also angst, hysteria, and phobia.)

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Note

In popular usage, a “neurotic” is anyone who worries a lot.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.