Meanings
plural cathexes
- countableuncountablehuman sciencesThe concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea.
How contemporary artistic performances elicit cathexis on the part of the audience and promote unifying social rituals.
2013, Isher-Paul Sahni, “More than Horseplay”, in Studies in Popular Culture, volume 35, page 76
Synonyms & antonyms
noun(psychoanalysis) the libidinal energy invested in some idea or person or object
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Ancient Greekκάθεξις“holding, retention”
- Englishcathexis
From Ancient Greek κάθεξις (káthexis, “holding, retention”). The term entered the English language as a translation for the common everyday German word Besetzung, which in the context of psychoanalysis means "occupation" in the sense of a position or something being occupied or filled, and not a military occupation of a place or the filling of job positions (although it can also mean either of these in other contexts). (In English translations, a Greek word was used to be more scientific.)
More words from Ancient Greek
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Catalan catexi
- catexithe concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea
German Objektbesetzung
- Objektbesetzungthe concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea
Korean 주의 집중
- 주의 집중 (juui jipjung)the concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea
Polish kateksja
- kateksjathe concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea
Portuguese catexia, catexe
- catexiathe concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea
- catexethe concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea
Turkish kateksis
- kateksisthe concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea
Cite this entry
cathexis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cathexis
“cathexis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cathexis. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cathexis,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cathexis.
Source: cathexis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.