Kleinian

[ klahy-nee-uhn ]

adjective

1. referring to the theories formulated by Austrian child psychiatrist Melanie Klein (1882–1960).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kleinian¹

1950–55; Klein + -ian

Example Sentences

The Times story also reveals that Swinton personally wrote the elaborate IMDb biography for “Lutz Ebersdorf,” detailing how his family fled from the Nazis when he was a child, extolling his education studying “Kleinian psychoanalysis,” even providing an excuse for why he’s never been heard of in show business before.

From Slate

Ebersdorf has worked in Berlin as a practicing Kleinian analyst, specialising in mother-daughter relationships, since 1969.

From Slate

Ebersdorf eventually disbanded Piefke Versus in 1964, leaving him free to pursue his studies in Kleinian psychoanalysis.

From Slate

Which is why Kleinian insights need to be drawn into our discussions in order to fully grasp what’s going on.

From Salon

As Kleinian therapist Chris Minnick writes, “It is often said that if Freud discovered the ‘child’ in the adult human personality, then Klein discovered the ‘baby’ in Freud’s child.”

From Salon