overcompensatory
vərˌkɒm noun Psychoanalysis.
1.
a pronounced striving to neutralize and conceal a strong but unacceptable character trait by substituting for it an opposite trait.
2.
compensation to an unnecessary or unreasonable degree: The pay was overcompensation for the work done.
Origin:
1915–20; over- + compensation; as psychoanalytic term, translation of Überkompensation, coined by Alfred Adler
1915–20; over- + compensation; as psychoanalytic term, translation of Überkompensation, coined by Alfred Adler
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To overcompensatory
00:10
Overcompensatory
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
overcompensate (ˌəʊvəˈkɒmpɛnˌseɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to compensate (a person or thing) excessively |
| 2. | (intr) psychol to engage in overcompensation |
| over'compensatory | |
| —adj | |
| overcompensation (ˌəʊvəˌkɒmpɛnˈseɪʃən) | |
| —n | |
| psychol an attempt to make up for a character trait by overexaggerating its opposite | |
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
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
overcompensation
1917 in the psychological sense, translating Ger. überkompensation, from over + compensation. A term used by A. Alder to denote exaggerated striving for power in someone who has an inner sense of inferiority.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
overcompensation o·ver·com·pen·sa·tion (ō'vər-kŏm'pən-sā'shən)
n.
Excessive compensation, especially the exertion of effort beyond what is needed to compensate for a physical or psychological characteristic or defect.
An extreme neurotic striving for power or prestige because of a feeling of inferiority.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
