cathexis

cathexis
A conscious or unconscious attachment of psychic energy to an idea, object, or person. [G. kathexis, a holding in, retention]

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ca·thex·is kə-'thek-səs, ka- n, pl ca·thex·es -.sēz
1) investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea
2) libidinal energy that is either invested or being invested

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ca·thex·is (kə-thekґsis) [Gr. kathexis a retaining] in psychiatry, conscious or unconscious investment of psychic energy in a person, idea, or any other object. cathectic adj

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Cathexis — Cath*ex is, n. [Gr. ka qexis, keeping.] 1. (Psychiatry) the process of investing mental, emotional, or libidinal energy or significance in an object, person, or idea. [PJC] 2. (Psychiatry) the emotional or libidinal energy invested in an object,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cathexis — 1922, from Gk. kathexis holding, retention. Used by psychologists to render Freud s libidobesetzung …   Etymology dictionary

  • cathexis — [kə theks′is] n. [ModL < Gr kạthexis, a holding (< katechein, to hold fast < kata , down + echein, to hold > OE sige, victory): transl. of Ger besetzung, as used by Freud] Psychoanalysis concentration of psychic energy on some… …   English World dictionary

  • Cathexis — This page describes the general psychological term. For the episode of the same name, see Cathexis (Voyager episode). In psychodynamics, cathexis is defined as the process of investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea.… …   Wikipedia

  • cathexis — somewhat similar to cow, as in don t have a cathexis. It does have a technical meaning in psychiatry, but we don t care about that. To us, it means to get all wrapped round the axle about something. don t have a cathexis, Mitch. I ll be 18 in a… …   Dictionary of american slang

  • cathexis — somewhat similar to cow, as in don t have a cathexis. It does have a technical meaning in psychiatry, but we don t care about that. To us, it means to get all wrapped round the axle about something. don t have a cathexis, Mitch. I ll be 18 in a… …   Dictionary of american slang

  • cathexis — noun (plural cathexes) Etymology: New Latin (intended as translation of German Besetzung), from Greek kathexis holding, from katechein to hold fast, occupy, from kata + echein to have, hold more at scheme Date: 1922 investment of mental or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • cathexis — cathectic /keuh thek tik/, adj. /keuh thek sis/, n., pl. cathexes / thek seez/. Psychoanal. 1. the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea. 2. the charge of psychic energy so invested. [1920 25; < NL < Gk káthexis a… …   Universalium

  • cathexis — noun the concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea …   Wiktionary

  • cathexis — катексис …   Термины гендерных исследований

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