abreaction

noun

ab·​re·​ac·​tion ˌa-brē-ˈak-shən 

: the expression and emotional discharge of unconscious material (such as a repressed idea or emotion) by verbalization especially in the presence of a therapist

abreact

ˌa-brē-ˈakt 

verb

Examples of abreaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All must be resolved now by collective abreaction, whereby literary critics will be the handmaidens of a sort of universal truth-and-reconciliation event: cathartic Rapture. —Will Self, Harper's Magazine, 23 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of German Abreagieren, noun use of abreagieren "to release or express (an emotion previously repressed or forgotten)," from ab "down, from" (going back to Old High German aba) + reagieren "to react," borrowed from French réagir, borrowed (with adaptation to agir "to act, take effect") from New Latin reagere — more at of entry 1, react

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

abreaction

noun

ab·​re·​ac·​tion ˌab-rē-ˈak-shən 

: the expression and emotional discharge of unconscious material (as a repressed idea or emotion) by verbalization especially in the presence of a therapist compare catharsis sense 2

abreact

-ˈakt 

verb