psychoanalyze
UK[ˌsaɪ.kəʊˈæn.ə.laɪz]US[ˌsaɪ.koʊˈæn.ə.laɪz]
v
To treat a person's mental or emotional problems by using psychoanalysis.
v
To examine or interpret something using the methods or principles of psychoanalysis.
Morpheme Breakdown
psycho
analyze
psycho
mind
analyze
examine
Etymology
The word 'psychoanalyze' is a modern English formation, coined in the early 20th century from the pre-existing elements 'psycho-' and 'analyze'. The Greek root psyche (ψυχή) fundamentally meant 'breath' and 'life', evolving to signify the soul or animating principle, and later the conscious self and mind. Combined with 'analyze', from Greek ana- (up, throughout) and lyein (to loosen), the compound literally means "to loosen or break down the mind." This construction directly reflects the methodology of psychoanalysis, developed by Sigmund Freud, which aims to resolve psychological conflicts by making the unconscious conscious through techniques like free association and dream interpretation.
Analysis
Structure: psycho (mind) + analyze (examine)
'psycho' originates from Greek psyche (soul, mind, spirit), serving as a combining form denoting a relationship to the mind. 'analyze' originates from Greek analyein (to unloose, dissolve, break down), via French and Late Latin, and functions as a verb meaning to examine methodically.
Examples
The therapist sought to psychoanalyze the underlying causes of the patient's anxiety.
Critics often psychoanalyze the characters in the novel, searching for hidden motivations.
He was reluctant to be psychoanalyzed, fearing what might be uncovered.