cathectic

- 6 dictionary results

ca⋅thex⋅is

[kuh-thek-sis]

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–noun, plural -thex⋅es [-thek-seez]

. Psychoanalysis.

1.	the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.

2.	the charge of psychic energy so invested.

Origin:
1920–25; < NL < Gk káthexis a keeping, equiv. to kathek- (var. s. of katéchein to keep, hold on to, equiv. to cat cat- + échein to have, hold) + -sis -sis, as trans. of G Besetzung a taking possession of (Freud's term)

Related forms:

ca⋅thec⋅tic [kuh-thek-tik]

, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ca·thect (kə-thěkt', kā-)

tr.v. ca·thect·ed, ca·thect·ing, ca·thects
To invest emotional energy in (a person, object or idea).

[Back-formation from cathexis.]
ca·thec'tic adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ca·thec·tic
Pronunciation: k&-'thek-tik, ka-
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, or invested with mental or emotional energy

Main Entry: ca·thex·is
Pronunciation: k&-'thek-s&s, ka-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ca·thex·es /-"sEz/
1 : investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea
2 : libidinal energy that is either invested or being invested

Medical Dictionary

cathectic ca·thec·tic (kə-thěk'tĭk)
adj.
Of or relating to cathexis.

cathexis ca·thex·is (kə-thěk'sĭs)
n. pl. ca·thex·es (-thěk'sēz)
Concentration of emotional energy on an object or idea.

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