castration complex

noun

, Psychoanalysis.

1. an unconscious fear of losing the genital organs, especially as punishment for oedipal feelings.

castration complex

noun

1. psychoanal an unconscious fear of having one's genitals removed, as a punishment for wishing to have sex with a parent

Word History and Origins

Origin of castration complex¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

One is the character of Corey’s friend Adrian, an M.I.T. student with an overdeveloped castration complex.

From New York Times

It is hard to decide who should bear the most blame if Trump wins, but I’m willing to suggest that we put Clinton herself at the top of the list.  Let’s face it; after we weed out the hateful misogynistic rants about her annoying voice and castration complex, Clinton has made some really bad decisions. The long history of conflict of interest issues is real.

From Salon

The castration complex is a boy’s fear, inherited from apes, that Papa will chop off his member for misbehavior.

From Seattle Times

He becomes subject to the domination of the castration complex, the formation of which plays an important part in the development of his character, provided he remains healthy; of his neurosis, if he becomes diseased; of his resistance, if he is treated analytically.

From Project Gutenberg

We may also ascribe this Oedipus-complex to those dreamers who were so fortunate as to escape in later life these conflicts with their parents, and intimately associated therewith we find what we call the castration complex, the reaction to sexual intimidation or restriction, ascribed to the father, of early infantile sexuality.

From Project Gutenberg