Meanings
- not comparablehuman sciencesDenoting a person whose choice of love-interest arises from the dependence of the libido on another instinct (e.g., hunger).
I don’t think I have to gloss the true anaclitic purport behind your need to humiliate a woman doctor symbolically.
1982, Fowles, Mantissa - not comparablePertaining to an acute emotional dependence on another person or persons.
When introjects are weak (or even absent), an anaclitic personality configuration results, characterized by dependency, insecurity, and feelings of helplessness and emptiness.
2003, Theodore Millon, Melvin J. Lerner, Irving B. Weiner, Handbook of Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology, page 123
Origin
- Ancient Greekἀνάκλιτος“for reclining”
- Englishanaclitic
From Ancient Greek ἀνάκλιτος (anáklitos, “for reclining”), from ἀνακλίνω (anaklínō). Originally in the phrase anaclitic type, translating Freud's term Anlehnungstypus.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
French anaclitique
- anaclitiqueemotionally dependent
Italian anaclitico
- anacliticoemotionally dependent
Portuguese anaclítico
- anaclíticoemotionally dependent
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
anaclitic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anaclitic
“anaclitic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anaclitic. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “anaclitic,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/anaclitic.
Source: anaclitic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.