Library / English Dictionary

CATHEXIS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: cathexes   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

(psychoanalysis) the libidinal energy invested in some idea or person or object

Example:

Freud thought of cathexis as a psychic analog of an electrical charge

Synonyms:

cathexis; charge

Classified under:

Nouns denoting goals

Hypernyms ("cathexis" is a kind of...):

libidinal energy ((psychoanalysis) psychic energy produced by the libido)

Domain category:

analysis; depth psychology; psychoanalysis (a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud)

Derivation:

cathectic (of or relating to cathexis)

Credits