cathexis

noun

ca·​thex·​is kə-ˈthek-səs 

ka-

plural cathexes kə-ˈthek-ˌsēz 

ka-

: investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea

Did you know?

You might suspect that cathexis derives from a word for "emotion," but in actuality the key concept is "holding." Cathexis comes to us by way of New Latin (Latin as used after the medieval period in scientific description or classification) from the Greek word kathexis, meaning "holding." It can ultimately be traced back (through katechein, meaning "to hold fast, occupy") to the Greek verb echein, meaning "to have" or "to hold." Cathexis first appeared in print in 1922 in a book about Freud's psychological theories (which also established the plural as cathexes, as is consistent with Latin), and it is still often used in scientific and specifically psychological contexts.

Examples of cathexis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dependency and cathexis are also incredibly painful and difficult to extricate yourself from. —Janey Starling, refinery29.com, 10 Apr. 2020

There’s a word for this loss of self in devotion: cathexis. —Janey Starling, refinery29.com, 10 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

New Latin (intended as translation of German Besetzung), from Greek kathexis holding, from katechein to hold fast, occupy, from kata- + echein to have, hold — more at scheme entry 1

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

cathexis

noun

ca·​thex·​is kə-ˈthek-səs, ka- 

plural cathexes -ˌsēz 

1

: investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea

2

: libidinal energy that is either invested or being invested