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catharsis

/kə'θɑ:sis/
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Explanation of the Word "Catharsis"

Definition:
The word "catharsis" is a noun that refers to a process of releasing strong or repressed emotions. It often involves expressing feelings that have been held inside, leading to a sense of relief or emotional cleansing. In psychology, it can also refer to the process of letting go of emotional tension, which can help someone feel better.

Usage Instructions:
  • Use "catharsis" when talking about emotional release, especially in contexts involving therapy, art, or personal experiences.
  • It is often associated with dramatic arts, such as plays or movies, where characters experience significant emotional changes.
Examples:
  1. In a Sentence: "After crying during the sad movie, I felt a sense of catharsis."
  2. In Therapy: "The therapist encouraged her to talk about her feelings as a way to achieve catharsis."
Advanced Usage:
  • In literature, "catharsis" can refer to the emotional release experienced by the audience at the end of a tragedy, as they feel both pity and fear for the characters. Aristotle discussed this idea in relation to Greek tragedies.
Word Variants:
  • Cathartic (adjective): Referring to something that provides emotional release. For example, "Writing in her journal was a cathartic experience."
  • Cathartically (adverb): In a way that promotes catharsis. For example, "He spoke cathartically about his past experiences."
Different Meanings:
  • In a medical context, "catharsis" can refer to the act of purging the body, often through medication, to stimulate bowel movements.
Synonyms:
  • Emotional release
  • Cleansing
  • Purification
  • Release
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
  • While "catharsis" does not have specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to it, you can use phrases like:
    • "Let it all out" - meaning to express your feelings openly.
    • "Get it off your chest" - meaning to talk about something that has been bothering you.
Summary:

"Catharsis" is a useful word to describe the process of releasing emotions, whether through art, conversation, or self-reflection.

Noun
  1. purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels
  2. (psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions

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