/ ˈiːdɪpəs kɒmpleks; NAmE ; NAmE usually ˈedɪpəs kɑːm-/ noun
[ sing. ] ( psychology ) feelings of sexual desire that a boy has for his mother and the jealous feelings towards his father that this causes
—compare Electra complex
ORIGIN: From the Greek story of Oedipus , whose father Laius had been told by the oracle that his son would kill him. Laius left Oedipus on a mountain to die, but a shepherd rescued him. Oedipus returned home many years later but did not recognize his parents. He killed his father and married his mother Jocasta.