catharsis
UK[kəˈθɑːsɪs]US[kəˈθɑːrsɪs]
n
the process of releasing strong feelings, for example through plays or other artistic activities, as a way of providing relief from anger, suffering, or other powerful emotions
n
the process of releasing the contents of the bowels
Morpheme Breakdown
cathar
sis
cathar
cleanse
sis
state or process
Etymology
the word catharsis entered english in the late 18th century, directly from modern latin, which itself borrowed from the ancient greek 'katharsis', meaning 'cleansing' or 'purification'. its root is the greek adjective 'katharos' (pure). the term was famously used by aristotle in his work 'poetics' to describe the emotional purification or relief that an audience experiences through the pity and fear evoked by tragedy. this specialized philosophical and literary sense evolved from the word's literal medical meaning of physical purging, creating the modern abstract concept of psychological or emotional release.
Analysis
Structure: cathar (cleanse) + sis (state or process)
cathar is from greek 'katharos', meaning 'pure' or 'clean'. sis is a greek suffix forming nouns of action or process.
Examples
writing poetry served as a form of catharsis for her after the traumatic event.
the film provides a powerful catharsis, leaving viewers feeling emotionally drained but somehow cleansed.
in ancient greek medicine, catharsis referred to the bodily evacuation of excess fluids.