Catharsis Definition
kə-thärsĭs
catharses
noun
catharses
Purgation, esp. of the bowels.
Webster's New World
The purifying of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, esp. by art; concept applied originally by Aristotle to the effect of tragic drama on the audience.
Webster's New World
A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.
American Heritage
The alleviation of fear, problems, and complexes by bringing them to consciousness or giving them expression.
Webster's New World
The therapeutic result of this process; abreaction.
American Heritage Medicine
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Other Word Forms of Catharsis
Noun
Singular:
catharsis
Plural:
catharsesOrigin of Catharsis
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From Ancient Greek κάθαρσις (katharsis, “cleansing, purging”), from καθαίρω (kathairō, “I cleanse”). Coined in the dramatic-emotional sense by Aristotle.
From Wiktionary
New Latin from Greek katharsis from kathairein to purge from katharos pure
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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