Word Study
cathexis
CIDE DICTIONARY
cathexis, n. [Gr. ka`qexis, keeping.].
- the process of investing mental, emotional, or libidinal energy or significance in an object, person, or idea. [PJC]
- the emotional or libidinal energy invested in an object, person, or idea. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
cathexis, n. (pl. cathexes) Psychol. concentration of mental energy in one channel.
Derivative
cathectic adj.
Etymology
Gk kathexis retention
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