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catharsis

noun [C or U]
 
 
/kəˈθɑː.sɪs/ US  /-ˈθɑːr-/ (plural catharses /-siːz/ )

Definition

the process of releasing strong emotions through a particular activity or experience, such as writing or theatre, which helps you to understand those emotionsCorrecting and mendingEditing and compilingScience of psychology and psychoanalysisMind and personality cathartic
 
 
/-tɪk/ adjective
a cathartic experienceCorrecting and mendingEditing and compilingScience of psychology and psychoanalysisMind and personality
(Definition of catharsis noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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