catharsis

ca·thar·sis  (k-thärss)

n. pl. ca·thar·ses (-sz)

1. Medicine Purgation, especially for the digestive system.

2. A purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions, especially pity and fear, described by Aristotle as an effect of tragic drama on its audience.

3. A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.

4. Psychology

a. A technique used to relieve tension and anxiety by bringing repressed feelings and fears to consciousness.

b. The therapeutic result of this process; abreaction.

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[New Latin, from Greek katharsis, from kathairein, to purge, from katharos, pure.]

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catharsis [kath-thar-siss]

Noun

1. the relief of strong suppressed emotions, for example through drama or psychoanalysis

2. evacuation of the bowels, esp. with the use of a laxative [Greek kathairein to purge, purify]

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catharsis

(in the Aristotelian concept of art, especially with reference to tragic drama) the purging of the emotions, traditionally said to be those of pity and fear. See also psychology.

See also: Drama

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	catharsis - (psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions abreaction, katharsis purging, purge - an act of removing by cleansing; ridding of sediment or other undesired elements depth psychology, psychoanalysis, analysis - a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud; "his physician recommended psychoanalysis"
	2.	catharsis - purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels katharsis, purgation purging, purge - an act of removing by cleansing; ridding of sediment or other undesired elements

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catharsis

noun release, cleansing, purging, purification