Meanings
nounaphanisis (uncountable)
- uncountablehuman sciencesThe disappearance of sexual desire, supposed to be the foundation of all neuroses.
- uncountablebiologyThe suppression of parts.
Origin
- Ancient Greekἀφάνισις“disappearance”
- Englishaphanisis
From Ancient Greek ἀφάνισις (aphánisis, “disappearance”). In the psychology sense, coined by Ernest Jones in 1927.
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Portuguese afânise
- afânisethe disappearance of sexual desire
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
APA
aphanisis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aphanisis
MLA
“aphanisis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aphanisis. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “aphanisis,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aphanisis.
Source: aphanisis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.