You queried:

cathexis "

Results retrieved for:
    • \ kə-ˈthek-səs \

    Your query is not considered offensive by any official sources.

    ( some results may take a moment to update )


    [Noun]  | "ca*thex*is" | \ kə-ˈthek-səs \


    1: investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea


    Origin: 1922 ;

     New Latin (intended as translation of German Besetzung), from Greek kathexis holding, from katechein to hold fast, occupy, from kata- + echein to have, hold {mat|scheme:1|};

     [ "cathexis" ]

    1: A psychoanalytical term. It's defined as the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea. In layman terms, the focus of an obsession.

      * e.g.,  ... Guy A: Man, have you seen Joe? What's up with him lately? Guy B: Being an obsessive stalker like always. This time his cathexis is the girl next door. Guy A: That's screwed up. 

     [ "cathexis" ]

    1: The formation of a libidinal investment. The attachment of oneself to a particular external element or a particular alignment of discourse, a role, etc. through the rearticulation of psychological desires/drives which are already present.

      * e.g.,  ... His frustration with his father was repressed, but re-emerged through a cathexis in relation to his boss. 


     [ "cathexis" ]

    2: The verb for is "to cathect".

     No results from Words API...

     No results from Linguatools Conjugations API...

     No results from Words API...

     No results from Word Associations API...


    * Query The Library of Babel *
    * Query Wikipedia *
    * Query Google *

    * Discuss! *


    You must be signed in to post comments!


    Top comments for:
    "cathexis"