catharsis Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions
    abreaction; katharsis.
  2. noun purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels
    purgation; katharsis.

WordNet

Ca*thar"sis noun
Etymology
NL., fr. Gr. . See Cathartic.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) A natural or artificial purgation of any passage, as of the mouth, bowels, etc.

Webster 1913