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psychic apparatus

American  
[sahy-kik ap-uh-rat-uhs, -rey-tuhs] / ˈsaɪ kɪk ˌæp əˈræt əs, -ˈreɪ təs /

noun

Psychoanalysis.
  1. the mind considered as a collection of structures and mechanisms, such as ego, superego, and id.


Etymology

Origin of psychic apparatus

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The dream, which in fulfilling its wishes follows the short regressive path, thereby preserves for us only an example of the primary form of the psychic apparatus which has been abandoned as inexpedient.

From Dream Psychology Psychoanalysis for Beginners by Freud, Sigmund

In the psychoses these modes of operation of the psychic apparatus, which are normally suppressed in the waking state, reassert themselves, and then betray their inability to satisfy our wants in the outer world.

From Dream Psychology Psychoanalysis for Beginners by Freud, Sigmund

Thus far we have elaborated the plan of the psychic apparatus; these two systems are the germ of the Unc. and Forec, which we include in the fully developed apparatus.

From Dream Psychology Psychoanalysis for Beginners by Freud, Sigmund

His psychic apparatus never failed in letting him know the proximity of an incarnate or discarnate being.

From Three More John Silence Stories by Blackwood, Algernon

Thinking is indeed nothing but the equivalent of the hallucinatory wish; and if the dream be called a wish-fulfillment this becomes self-evident, as nothing but a wish can impel our psychic apparatus to activity.

From Dream Psychology Psychoanalysis for Beginners by Freud, Sigmund

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