catharsis

Noun

US[kuh-thahr-suhs]/kəˈθɑrsəs/3 syllables

Synonyms: katharsis abreaction purgation

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)

(psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensionsSynonyms: katharsis abreactionType of purge, purging
purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowelsSynonyms: katharsis purgationType of purge, purging

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Ca·thar′sis noun

Origin: NL., fr. Gr. …. See Cathartic.

Medicine 1. A natural or artificial purgation of any passage, as of the mouth, bowels, etc.

2. Psychotherapy The process of relieving an abnormal excitement by reëstablishing the association of the emotion with the memory or idea of the event that first caused it, and of eliminating it by complete expression (called the abreaction).

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: 1913 supplement