'Catharsis' definitions:

Definition of 'catharsis'

(from WordNet)
noun
(psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions [syn: catharsis, katharsis, abreaction]
noun
Purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels [syn: catharsis, katharsis, purgation]

Definition of 'Catharsis'

From: GCIDE
  • Catharsis \Ca*thar"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?. See Cathartic.] (Med.)
  • 1. A natural or artificial purgation of any passage, as of the mouth, bowels, etc.
  • 2. (Psychotherapy) The process of relieving an abnormal excitement by re["e]stablishing the association of the emotion with the memory or idea of the event that first caused it, and of eliminating it by complete expression (called the abreaction). [Webster 1913 Suppl.] Cathartic

Definition of 'catharsis'

From: GCIDE
  • katharsis \katharsis\ n. purging of emotional tensions; -- usually spelled catharsis.
  • Syn: catharsis, abreaction. [WordNet 1.5]