cathexis


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ca·thex·is

 (kə-thĕk′sĭs)
n. pl. ca·thex·es (-thĕk′sēz)
Concentration of emotional energy on an object or idea.

[Greek kathexis, holding, retention, from katekhein, to hold fast : kat-, kata-, intensive pref.; see cata- + ekhein, to hold; see segh- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cathexis

(kəˈθɛksɪs)
n, pl -thexes (-ˈθɛksiːz)
(Psychoanalysis) psychoanal concentration of psychic energy on a single goal
[C20: from New Latin, from Greek kathexis, from katekhein to hold fast, intended to render German Besetzung a taking possession of]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ca•thex•is

(kəˈθɛk sɪs)

n., pl. -thex•es (-ˈθɛk siz)
Psychoanal.
1. the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.
2. the charge of psychic energy so invested.
[1920–25; < Greek káthexis retention, derivative (with -sis -sis) of katéchein to keep, hold on to =cat- cat- + échein to have, hold; translation of German Besetzung (Freud)]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.cathexis - (psychoanalysis) the libidinal energy invested in some idea or person or object; "Freud thought of cathexis as a psychic analog of an electrical charge"
depth psychology, psychoanalysis, analysis - a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud; "his physician recommended psychoanalysis"
libidinal energy - (psychoanalysis) psychic energy produced by the libido
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
US-based hair extension brand Bellami Hair has received a USD 20m investment from Cathexis Holdings LLP, with a further USD 100m capital commitment for growth, the company said.
M2 EQUITYBITES-November 19, 2018-Beauty Brand Bellami Hair Receives USD 20m Minority Investment, USD 100m Capital Commitment from Cathexis Holdings
No statistically significant relationship was found between the scores of the body cathexis scale and the sexual dysfunction--satisfaction subscale of the cases (p > 0.05) (Table 3).
Three tools were used for data collection in this study: 1) A demographic data questionnaire created for this study by researchers obtained information about the women's sociodemographic characteristics; 2) the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) scale to determine the QoL; 3) the Body Cathexis Scale.
Still, just as the compulsion to know instrumental facts for the sake of survival is loosened and backgrounded, and the quest to know for its own sake is therefore in its place, foregrounded, so also, as we experience a greater detachment from other drives instrumental to our biological survival and related principally to our biological needs (or what Deely calls "cathexis" (22)), we then grasp more clearly the normative direction of the natural law or the first principles of practical reason--namely, the gentler but no less important direction to pursue other goods in life for their own sakes and as intelligible ends understood as terminal reasons for action and not as mere emotions or feelings.
Additionally, Rafey Habib on the subject posits: "Freud hypothesized that, in the neurotic, any powerful impulse or instinct which was embarrassing continued to operate in the realm of the unconscious where it retained its full "cathexis" or investment of energy.
The body cathexis scale was developed by Secord and Jourard in 1953 and aims to assess an individual's level of satisfaction with his or her physical appearance.
In a dynamic of extraordinary cathexis, every other aspect of his experience turns toward that writing and the inquiry that impels it.
In Q1 2016, Cathexis, a US-based investment firm, secured a $106m (GBP85m) takeover deal for the UK-headquartered construction outfit.