cathexis

[ kuh-thek-sis ]
/ kəˈθɛk sɪs /

noun, plural ca·thex·es [kuh-thek-seez] /kəˈθɛk siz/. Psychoanalysis.

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

Origin of cathexis

1920–25; < New Latin < Greek káthexis a keeping, equivalent to kathek- (variant stem of katéchein to keep, hold on to, equivalent to kat- cat- + échein to have, hold) + -sis -sis, as translation of German Besetzung a taking possession of (Freud's term)

OTHER WORDS FROM cathexis

ca·thec·tic [kuh-thek-tik] /kəˈθɛk tɪk/, adjective

Words nearby cathexis

catheter, catheter embolus, catheterization, catheterize, cathetus, cathexis, cathie, cathleen, catho, cathode, cathode dark space

Example sentences from the Web for cathexis

British Dictionary definitions for cathexis

cathexis
/ (kəˈθɛksɪs) /

noun plural -thexes (-ˈθɛksiːz)

psychoanal concentration of psychic energy on a single goal

Word Origin for cathexis

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

Medical definitions for cathexis

cathexis
[ kə-thĕk′sĭs ]

n. pl. ca•thex•es (-thĕk′sēz)

Concentration of emotional energy on an object or idea.