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catharsis
catharsis definition
ca·thar·sis (kə t̸här′sis)
noun
- purgation, esp. of the bowels
- 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
- Psychiatry the alleviation of fear, problems, and complexes by bringing them to consciousness or giving them expression
Etymology: ModL < Gr katharsis, purification < kathairein, to purify < katharos, pure
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