Etymology

abreact

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Today it means: To eliminate previously repressed emotions by reliving past experiences. Full definition →

First used First attested in the early 20ᵗʰ century.
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The story

Partial calque of German abreagieren, from ab (“away from, off, down from”) + reagieren (“to react”), equivalent to ab- + react.

First known use, by meaning

  • First attested in the early 20ᵗʰ century. To eliminate previously repressed emotions by reliving past experiences.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.