cathexis

/kəˈθɛksəs/
IPA guide

Definitions of cathexis
  1. noun
    (psychoanalysis) the libidinal energy invested in some idea or person or object
    “Freud thought of cathexis as a psychic analog of an electrical charge”
    synonyms: charge
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    type of:
    libidinal energy
    (psychoanalysis) psychic energy produced by the libido
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