cathexis

[ kuh-thek-sis ]

noun

, Psychoanalysis.

, plural ca·thex·es [k, uh, -, thek, -seez].

1. the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.
2. the charge of psychic energy so invested.

cathexis

/ kəˈθɛksɪs /

noun

1. psychoanal concentration of psychic energy on a single goal

Other Words From

• ca·thec·tic [k, uh, -, thek, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathexis¹

First recorded in 1920–25; from New Latin, from Greek káthexis “a keeping,” equivalent to kathek- (variant stem of katéchein “to keep, hold on to,” equivalent to kat- cat- ( def ) + échein “to have, hold”) + -sis -sis, as translation of German Besetzung a taking possession of (Freud's term)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathexis¹

C20: from New Latin, from Greek kathexis, from katekhein to hold fast, intended to render German Besetzung a taking possession of

Example Sentences

It’s more like a cathexis, an acutely intense energy focused on a singular entity.

From New York Times

It was the wrong question, in part because it presumed a cathexis that was never quite there.

From The New Yorker

I liked parts of these movies and had moments of cathexis, but nothing really stuck.

From The New Yorker

An ecstatic and skeptical exploration of American song, Mac’s project is divided into eight three-hour concerts that will eventually be scrunched together into one 24-hour cathexis.

From The Guardian

Authors are objects of cathexis, some of it idolizing, some of it envious, a fair amount both.

From The New Yorker