The process of expressing strongly felt but usually repressed emotions.

1803, "bodily purging," from Latinized form of Greek katharsis "purging, cleansing," from stem of kathairein "to purify, purge," from katharos "pure, clear of dirt, [..]

An emotional discharge that brings about a moral or spiritual renewal or welcome relief from tension and anxiety. According to Aristotle, catharsis is the marking feature and ultimate end of any tragi [..]

The emotional release associated with the expression of unconscious conflicts.

The purging of the feelings of pity and fear that, according to Aristotle, occur in the audience of tragic drama. The audience experiences catharsis at the end of the play, following the catastrophe.

The purging of audience emotion in tragedy, the release of emotion, and final feeling of relief.

during a film's climax, the audience may experience a purging or cleansing of emotional tension, providing relief or therapeutic restoration  

n. in psychoanalytic therapy, refers to the therapeutic discharge of all affects connected with grief, loss, or any traumatic event. It returns these events back into one's consciousness, while a [..]

Psychoanalytic theory. Releasing the effects of traumatic events that were repressed and are now being re-experinced. See abrection. Also the release of strong pent up emotions.

Catharsis is a psychodynamic principle that, in its most basic sense, is simply an emotional release. Further, the catharsis hypothesis maintains that aggressive or sexual urges are relieved by " [..]

In Early Modern English, used in the sense of "vomiting." This sense of the word was still used as recently as 1803. Originally from the Greek.

Much disputed term used by Aristotle in his Poetics where he suggests that tragedy should purge the emotions of pity and fear and, hence, lead to a catharsis.  

(n) (psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions(n) purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels

The emotional reenactment in thought or symbolic form of a painful experience that brings relief of the distress caused by the original experience.

is a Greek word meaning "purification" or "cleansing". Nowadays used to mean intense emotional release associated with talking about the underlying causes of a problem. In mystical traditions, catharsis is a process leading to the transcending of psychological, as well as spiritual, traumas and negativities. Used in modern psych [..]

The process of purging negative instincts. An important concept in ancient Greeks theory of drama. In viewing (say) portrayals of revenge, anger, or passion, Aristotle suggested that the audience would be less apt to act according to negative instincts. That is, by seeing someone portray a character who goes into a murderous rage, our own instincts [..]

the emotional effect upon an audience resulting from a re-living or re-experiencing of a remembered emotion.

The release of ideas, thoughts, and repressed material from the Unconscious, accompanied by an emotional response and relief. (From Dorland, 28th ed)

The release of ideas, thoughts, and repressed material from the unconscious, accompanied by an emotional response and relief. (From Dorland, 28th ed)

The socially safe release of feelings of social resentment, for Max Gluckman achieved through rituals of rebellion.

Remember when your main squeeze broke your heart? All it took was a night on the couch in front of Dirty Dancing or The Dirty Dozen and all was good in the world again. Pretty cathartic, right?Theoriz [..]