castration complex


noun Psychoanalysis.

an unconscious fear of losing the genital organs, especially as punishment for oedipal feelings.

Origin of castration complex

First recorded in 1910–15

Words nearby castration complex

British Dictionary definitions for castration complex

castration complex

noun

psychoanal an unconscious fear of having one's genitals removed, as a punishment for wishing to have sex with a parent

Medical definitions for castration complex

castration complex

n.

In psychoanalytic theory, a child's fear of injury to the genitals by the parent of the same sex as punishment for unconscious guilt over oedipal feelings.
An unconscious fear of injury from those in authority.