word
Mythology
Literary
Catharsis
kah-THAR-sis
/kəˈθɑːrsɪs/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
Catharsis
Dictionary meaning
Emotional release or purification, especially through art or tragedy.
History and origin
Greek
Examples
- Watching the film was a profound catharsis after months of emotional numbness.
Pronunciation tips
Three syllables. Stress on second syllable. From Aristotle's theory of tragedy.
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