catharsis
noun/kəˈθɑːsɪs/
/kəˈθɑːrsɪs/
[uncountable, countable] (plural catharses
(specialist)/kəˈθɑːsiːz/
/kəˈθɑːrsiːz/
)- the process of releasing strong feelings, for example through plays or other artistic activities, as a way of providing relief from anger, mental pain, etc.Word Originearly 19th cent. in the sense purification: from Greek katharsis, from kathairein ‘cleanse’, from katharos ‘pure’. The notion of “release” through drama derives from Aristotle's Poetics.
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catharsis