Catharsis

Pronunciation: /kəˈθɑrsɪs/

Definitions of catharsis

noun the process of releasing strong or repressed emotions, typically through art or therapy

Example Sentences

A1 After a good cry, she felt a sense of catharsis.

A2 Writing in her journal provided a cathartic release for her emotions.

B1 Attending a yoga retreat helped her achieve a sense of catharsis and inner peace.

B2 The play's tragic ending provided a cathartic experience for the audience.

C1 Therapy sessions can often lead to a catharsis of repressed emotions.

C2 Engaging in intense physical activity can sometimes bring about a catharsis of pent-up energy.

Examples of catharsis in a Sentence

formal The play provided a catharsis for the audience, allowing them to release their pent-up emotions.

informal Watching that movie was such a catharsis for me, I feel so much better now.

slang Dancing it out at the club was a total catharsis after a long week of work.

figurative The storm acted as a catharsis for the land, washing away all the dirt and grime.

Grammatical Forms of catharsis

• past tense: catharsized
• plural: catharsises
• comparative: more cathartic
• superlative: most cathartic
• present tense: catharsizes
• future tense: will catharsize
• perfect tense: have catharsized
• continuous tense: is catharsizing
• singular: catharsis
• positive degree: cathartic
• infinitive: to catharsize
• gerund: catharsizing
• participle: catharsized

Origin and Evolution of catharsis

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'catharsis' originates from the Greek word 'katharsis', meaning 'purification' or 'cleansing'. It was used in the context of Aristotle's theory of tragedy, where he believed that experiencing strong emotions through art could lead to emotional purification and release.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'catharsis' has come to be used more broadly to describe any emotional release or purification, not just in the context of art or literature. It has also been adopted in fields such as psychology and therapy to describe the process of releasing pent-up emotions or trauma.