penis envy

noun

, Psychoanalysis.

1. the repressed wish of a female to possess a penis.

penis envy

noun

1. psychoanal a Freudian concept in which envy of the penis is postulated as the cause for some of the characteristics found in women

penis envy

1. In Freudian theory, the repressed desire of females to possess a penis .

Notes

Penis envy is also used generally to mean a supposed female envy of men.

Word History and Origins

Origin of penis envy¹

First recorded in 1920–25