Electra complex

noun

The theory that a female's psychological development involves a sexual attachment to the father and jealousy of the mother.

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Meanings

nounElectra complex (plural Electra complexes)

plural Electra complexes

  1. human sciencesThe theory that a female's psychological development involves a sexual attachment to the father and jealousy of the mother.

    "No plot! Why, dammit girl, it's all plot, woven about that most fascinating of human problems, the Electra complex!"

    1961, Xavier Herbert, Soldiers' Women, Netley, SA: Fontana Books, published 1978, page 234

Origin

With reference to Electra of Greek mythology, who killed her mother.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French complexe d'Électre
  • complexe d'ÉlectrePsychoanalytical theory
German Elektrakomplex
  • ElektrakomplexPsychoanalytical theory
Irish coimpléacs Éileictre
  • coimpléacs ÉileictrePsychoanalytical theory
Polish kompleks Elektry
  • kompleks ElektryPsychoanalytical theory
Russian ко́мплекс Эле́ктры
  • ко́мплекс Эле́ктры (kómpleks Eléktry)Psychoanalytical theory
Cite this entry
APA

Electra complex. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Electra%20complex

MLA

“Electra complex.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Electra%20complex. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Electra complex,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Electra%20complex.

Source: Electra complex on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.