Etymology

abreaction

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Today it means: The re-living of an experience with a view to purging its emotional dross. Full definition →

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

Partial calque of German Abreagierung, from ab (“away from”) + Reagierung (“reaction”).

First known use, by meaning

  • First attested in the early 20ᵗʰ century. The re-living of an experience with a view to purging its emotional dross.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.