psychosis

[ sahy-koh-sis ]
/ saɪˈkoʊ sɪs /

noun, plural psy·cho·ses [-seez] /-siz/. Psychiatry.

a mental disorder characterized by symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that indicate impaired contact with reality.
any severe form of mental disorder, as schizophrenia or paranoia.

Origin of psychosis

First recorded in 1840–50, psychosis is from the Late Greek word psȳ́chōsis animation, principle of life. See psych-, -osis

Words nearby psychosis

psychoprophylaxis, psychosensory, psychosexual, psychosexual development, psychosexual dysfunction, psychosis, psychosocial, psychosociology, psychosomatic, psychosomatic disorder, psychosomatic medicine

Words related to psychoses

madness, craziness, absurdity, folly, frenzy, alienation, dementia, lunacy, hysteria, irresponsibility, silliness, foolishness, insanity, idiocy, stupidity, mania, delusion, schizophrenia, psychopathy, phobia

Example sentences from the Web for psychoses

British Dictionary definitions for psychoses

psychosis
/ (saɪˈkəʊsɪs) /

noun plural -choses (-ˈkəʊsiːz)

any form of severe mental disorder in which the individual's contact with reality becomes highly distorted Compare neurosis

Word Origin for psychosis

C19: New Latin, from psycho- + -osis

Medical definitions for psychoses

psychosis
[ sī-kō′sĭs ]

n. pl. psy•cho•ses (-sēz)

A severe mental disorder, with or without organic damage, characterized by derangement of personality and loss of contact with reality and causing deterioration of normal social functioning.

Scientific definitions for psychoses

psychosis
[ sī-kō′sĭs ]

Plural psychoses (sī-kō′sēz)

A mental state caused by psychiatric or organic illness, characterized by a loss of contact with reality and an inability to think rationally. A psychotic person often behaves inappropriately and is incapable of normal social functioning.

Other words from psychosis

psychotic adjective (sī-kŏt′ĭk)

Cultural definitions for psychoses

psychosis
[ (seye-koh-sis) ]

A severe mental disorder, more serious than neurosis, characterized by disorganized thought processes, disorientation in time and space, hallucinations, and delusions. Paranoia, manic depression, megalomania, and schizophrenia are all psychoses. One who suffers from psychosis is psychotic.