neu·ro·sis

[noo-roh-sis, nyoo-]
noun, plural neu·ro·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; < Neo-Latin; see neur-, -osis

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World English Dictionary
neurosis (njʊˈrəʊsɪs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n , pl -ses
Also called: psychoneurosis a relatively mild mental disorder, characterized by symptoms such as hysteria, anxiety, depression, or obsessive behaviour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Neurosis is always a great word to know.
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a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
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Etymonline
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
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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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
neurosis   (n-rō'sĭs)  Pronunciation Key 
A psychological state characterized by excessive anxiety or insecurity without evidence of neurologic or other organic disease, sometimes accompanied by defensive or immature behaviors. This term is no longer used in psychiatric diagnosis.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
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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Example sentences
Freude said when we can identify the origin of our neurosis, it goes away.
My neurosis is a common one.
He's both self-absorbed and self-deprecating, with bouts of neurosis flaring up
  in strangely humorous ways.
We're not sure if the subject is depression, stress or plain old neurosis.
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