KATHARSIS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does katharsis mean? 

• KATHARSIS (noun)
  The noun KATHARSIS has 2 senses:

1. purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels

2. (psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions

  Familiarity information: KATHARSIS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• KATHARSIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

catharsis; katharsis; purgation

Hypernyms ("katharsis" is a kind of...):

purge; purging (an act of removing by cleansing; ridding of sediment or other undesired elements)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

abreaction; catharsis; katharsis

Hypernyms ("katharsis" is a kind of...):

purge; purging (an act of removing by cleansing; ridding of sediment or other undesired elements)

Domain category:

analysis; depth psychology; psychoanalysis (a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud)