CATHEXIS Definition & Meaning

cathexis

[ kuh-thek-sis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Psychoanalysis.

plural cathexes

the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.
the charge of psychic energy so invested.

cathexis

/ ��əˈθɛ��ɪ�� /

noun

psychoanal concentration of psychic energy on a single goal

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��·�ٳ��·�پ�� [k, uh, -, thek, -tik], adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of cathexis¹

First recorded in 1920–25; from New Latin, from Greek ��á�ٳ��澱�� “a keeping,” equivalent to kathek- (variant stem of �첹��é��𾱲� “to keep, hold on to,” equivalent to kat- cat- ( def ) + é��𾱲� “to have, hold”) + -sis -sis, as translation of German Besetzung a taking possession of (Freud's term)

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of cathexis¹

C20: from New Latin, from Greek kathexis, from katekhein to hold fast, intended to render German Besetzung a taking possession of

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It’s more like a cathexis, an acutely intense energy focused on a singular entity.

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It was the wrong question, in part because it presumed a cathexis that was never quite there.

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I liked parts of these movies and had moments of cathexis, but nothing really stuck.

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An ecstatic and skeptical exploration of American song, Mac’s project is divided into eight three-hour concerts that will eventually be scrunched together into one 24-hour cathexis.

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Authors are objects of cathexis, some of it idolizing, some of it envious, a fair amount both.

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