— cathectic /keuh thek"tik/ , adj.
/keuh thek"sis/ , n. , pl. cathexes /-thek"seez/ . Psychoanal.
1. the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.
2. the charge of psychic energy so invested.
[ 1920-25; káthexis a keeping, equiv. to kathek- (var. s. of katéchein to keep, hold on to, equiv. to cat CAT- + échein to have, hold) + -sis -SIS, as trans. of G Besetzung a taking possession of (Freud's term) ]