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neuroses

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neu⋅ro⋅sis

[noo-roh-sis, nyoo-]
–noun, plural -ses [-seez] . 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.

Origin:
1770–80; < NL; see neur-, -osis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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neu·ro·sis   (nŏŏ-rō'sĭs, nyŏŏ-)   
n.   pl. neu·ro·ses (-sēz)
Any of various mental or emotional disorders, such as hypochondria or neurasthenia, arising from no apparent organic lesion or change and involving symptoms such as insecurity, anxiety, depression, and irrational fears, but without psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. No longer in scientific use.
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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Cultural Dictionary

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.)

Note: In popular usage, a “neurotic” is anyone who worries a lot.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

neurosis 
1776, "functional derangement arising from disorders of the nervous system," coined by Scot, physician William Cullen (1710-90) from Gk. neuron "nerve" (see neuro-) + Mod.L. -osis "abnormal condition." Used in a general psychological sense since 1871; clinical use in psychiatry dates from 1923.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: neu·ro·sis
Pronunciation: n(y)u-'rO-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural neu·ro·ses /-"sEz/
: a mental and emotional disorder that affects only part of the personality, is accompanied by a less distorted perception of reality than in a psychosis, does not result in disturbanceof the use of language, and is accompanied by various physical, physiological, and mental disturbances (as visceral symptoms, anxieties, or phobias)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

neurosis neu·ro·sis (n&oobreve;-rō'sĭs, ny&oobreve;-)
n. pl. neu·ro·ses (-sēz)

  1. Any of various mental or emotional disorders involving symptoms such as insecurity, anxiety, depression, and irrational fears.

  2. Tension or irritability of the nervous system; nervousness.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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