catharsis

catharsis
noun /kəˈθɑːsɪs,kəˈθɑːɹˌsɪs/
a) A release of emotional tension after an overwhelming vicarious experience, resulting in the purging or purification of the emotions, as through watching a dramatic production (especially a tragedy). Coined in this sense by Aristotle.

Seeing the heros catharsis helped her deal with the loss of her parents.

b) Any release of emotional tension to the same effect, more widely.
See Also: cathartic

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  • CATHARSIS — Dans sa Poétique , Aristote justifie la tragédie en lui attribuant un pouvoir de purification (katharsis ) des passions du spectateur. Assistant à un tel spectacle, l’être humain se libérerait des tensions psychiques, qui s’extériorisent sur le… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Catharsis — ( gr. ) is a Greek word meaning purification , cleansing or clarification. It is derived from the infinitive gr. transliterated as kathairein to purify, purge, and adjective gr. katharos pure or clean. Dramaturgical usesThe term in drama refers… …   Wikipedia

  • catharsis — CÁTHARSIS s.n. 1. (lit.) Purificare a spiritului cu ajutorul artei prin participare intensă la fenomenul artistic. 2. (În psihanaliză) Efect terapeutic obţinut prin descărcarea unei trăiri refulate. [Scris şi: catarsis. – pr.: tar ] – Din fr.… …   Dicționar Român

  • Catharsis — Ca*thar sis, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?. See {Cathartic}.] (Med.) 1. A natural or artificial purgation of any passage, as of the mouth, bowels, etc. 2. (Psychotherapy) The process of relieving an abnormal excitement by re[ e]stablishing the association… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Catharsis — (gr.), Reinigung, bes. durch Brech u. Purgirmittel; daher so v.w. Purgiren, u. Cathartĭca,[764] ausleerende Mittel, bes. Purgirmittel; Catharticemetĭca, zugleich abführende u. Brechen erregende Mittel …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • catharsis — noun abreaction, acting out, deliverance, detersion, discharge of emotions, emotional release, outlet, purgation, purge, release, riddance, ventilation Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • catharsis — (n.) 1803, from Latinized form of Gk. katharsis purging, cleansing, from kathairein to purify, purge, from katharos pure, clear of dirt, clean, spotless; open, free; clear of shame or guilt; purified, with most of the extended senses now found in …   Etymology dictionary

  • catharsis — [n] purging, purification ablution, abreaction, cleansing, expurgation, lustration, purgation, purification, release; concepts 13,165,230 Ant. dirtying …   New thesaurus

  • catharsis — ► NOUN ▪ the release of pent up emotions, for example through drama. DERIVATIVES cathartic adjective & noun. ORIGIN Greek katharsis, from kathairein cleanse …   English terms dictionary

  • catharsis — [kə thär′sis] n. [ModL < Gr katharsis, purification < kathairein, to purify < katharos, pure] 1. purgation, esp. of the bowels 2. the purifying of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, esp. by art; concept applied originally… …   English World dictionary

  • Catharsis — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Catharsis (homonymie). La catharsis ou katharsis (en grec κάθαρσις) signifie purification. La catharsis est l épuration des passions par le moyen de la représentation dramatique. Sommaire 1 Histoire du concept …   Wikipédia en Français

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