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overcompensatory

 - 4 dictionary results

o⋅ver⋅com⋅pen⋅sa⋅tion

[oh-ver-kom-puhn-sey-shuhn]
–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, trans. of Überkompensation, coined by Alfred Adler


o⋅ver⋅com⋅pen⋅sa⋅to⋅ry [oh-ver-kuhm-pen-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To overcompensatory
o·ver·com·pen·sate   (ō'vər-kŏm'pən-sāt')   
v.   o·ver·com·pen·sat·ed, o·ver·com·pen·sat·ing, o·ver·com·pen·sates

v.   intr.
To engage in overcompensation.
v.   tr.
To pay (someone) too much; compensate excessively.
o'ver·com·pen'sa·to'ry (-kəm-pěn'sə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.
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: over·com·pen·sa·tion
Pronunciation: -"käm-p&n-'sA-sh&n, -"pen-
Function: noun
: excessive compensation;specifically : excessive reaction to a feeling of inferiority, guilt, or inadequacy leading to an exaggerated attempt to overcome the feeling —over·com·pen·sate /-'käm-p&n-"sAt/ verb -sat·ed; -sat·ing
over·com·pen·sa·to·ry /-k&m-'pen(t)-s&-"tOr-E, -"tor-/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

overcompensation o·ver·com·pen·sa·tion (ō'vər-kŏm'pən-sā'shən)
n.

  1. Excessive compensation, especially the exertion of effort beyond what is needed to compensate for a physical or psychological characteristic or defect.

  2. 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.
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