catharsis English · revision 1069

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kəˈθɑːsɪs/ ''(UK)''; /kəˈθɑɹˌsɪs/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la-new|catharsis]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from [[grc|κάθαρσις|tr=kátharsis|t=purging, cleansing]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from ''kathaírein'' “to purge, cleanse”, from ''katharós'' “pure, clean”.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) It is related to [[cathartic]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A bodily purging, especially of the bowels (1770 in Etymonline; 1803 in Barnhart and the OED).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense of purifying the emotions through vicarious experience, especially through tragic drama as described by Aristotle, is recorded from 1867–72.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(AHD) In psychotherapy, from 1909, the word meant relieving tension by bringing repressed feelings to consciousness,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(AHD) first in Brill's translation of Freud.^(Etymonline) The adjective ''cathartic'' is older, from 1612.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1612 – ''cathartic''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1770 – a bodily purging.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1867 – purification of the emotions through drama.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1909 – in psychotherapy.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The purging of the emotions, especially pity and fear, that [[Aristotle]] described as an effect of [[tragedy]] on its audience.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # In [[psychotherapy]], the relief of tension by bringing repressed feelings to consciousness; [[abreaction]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Purging, especially of the digestive system.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cathartic]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}