cathexis

ca·thex·is

[kuh-thek-sis]
noun, plural ca·thex·es [kuh-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; < Neo-Latin < Greek káthexis a keeping, equivalent to kathek- (variant stem of katéchein to keep, hold on to, equivalent to cat cat- + échein to have, hold) + -sis -sis, as translation of German Besetzung a taking possession of (Freud's term)

ca·thec·tic [kuh-thek-tik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To cathexis
00:10
Cathexis is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
cathexis (kəˈθɛksɪs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -thexes
psychoanal concentration of psychic energy on a single goal
 
[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 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

cathexis
1922, from Gk. kathexis "holding, retention." Used by psychologists to render Freud's libidobesetzung.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

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

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT