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cathexis

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ca⋅thex⋅is

  [kuh-thek-sis]
Use cathexis in a Sentence
–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·thex·is   (kə-thěk'sĭs)   
n.   pl. ca·thex·es (-thěk'sēz)
Concentration of emotional energy on an object or idea.

[Greek kathexis, holding, retention, from katekhein, to hold fast : kat-, kata-, intensive pref.; see cata- + ekhein, to hold; see segh- in Indo-European roots.]
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·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
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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.
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