noun relating to cathartic. Introduced by Aristotle meaning the process of relieving strong feelings eg thru drama or other artistic activities, targeting provision of relief from anger or suffering.

Actor's or artist's state of mind may go thru catharsis while they're on the set shooting a emotionally intense movie after a break up in private life.

catharsis by Stiffmeister December 26, 2005

catharsis

The release of pent-up or repressed energies through their attachment to a new object or situation and their resultant release. For instance, the vicarious satisfaction of a desire to commit violence due to frustration with one's boss, through something other than violence against one's boss, e.g. through watching violent films, doing karate as a hobby, fighting a rival gang, playing Doom, etc.

It's a concept taken from Freudian psychoanalysis.

It also has a peculiar meaning in Gramscian theory, where it refers to the rearticulation and reconfiguration of desires and passions into a new ideological/philosophical framework - roughly speaking, the achievement of a new, revolutionary formation of desire.

catharsis by Andy May 9, 2004

Catharsis

Plural: Catharses
Noun:
1. The release of emotions or emotional tension to restore or refresh the spirit. Venting.
2. Medical Term - Purging, especially the digestive tract. See hurl, blow chunks

1. I got so frustrated after watching the Matrix Revolutions that as a catharsis, I decided to give a girl a good emeril.

2. See that skanky ho? She might look skinny, but really, she has her own little catharsis every night, after her midnight binge.

Catharsis by Eej November 13, 2003

Clitarist

Ultra feminist/lesbian who plays shitty "I hate men" or "fuck you dad" folk music on an acoustic guitar.

Liz Phair is the hottest clitarist in the bunch.

Clitarist by Orly Vazquez May 29, 2008

catharsis

a therapeutical technique used to release tension by bringing repressed feelings and fear to surface

Cutting does NOT count as a form of catharsis, as it further represses the issues at hand.

catharsis by Katie March 23, 2004

Catharsis

The release of emotional tension, especially through some form of art or music

I really feel like catharsis right now

Catharsis by Madelyn wolf September 4, 2021

You met me at a very Chinese time in my life

A moment in time where you feel distinctly Chinese over all other things.

Dante: "I wish I could be Nigerian, but I can't because I'm Chinese. You met me at a very Chinese time in my life."

You met me at a very Chinese time in my life by Sus Chad September 21, 2026

Word of the Day on September 25, 2026

crunchy

Adjective. Used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons. Crunchy persons tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as vegetarians, vegans, eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc.

Also used to describe establishments where alternative foods and products are sold, i.e. natural food stores.

Modified derivative of granola.

"I need more crunchy guys in my life. I'm so tired of dating preppy metrosexual assholes."

"I'm heading out to the crunchy store to pick up some fair trade chocolate and tea tree oil, do you need anything?"

crunchy by EBC July 11, 2007

Word of the Day on September 24, 2026

Galantir

A group of people, typically women, searching through someone’s digital footprint in order to find more information about that person.

Susie wasn’t sure if her new Hinge match was a creep, so she assembled Galantir and they found out he used to post slurs on gaming forums.

Galantir by Ge-sus September 22, 2026

Word of the Day on September 23, 2026

murderhobo

In a tabletop game, a murderhobo is a player who murders NPCs indiscriminately. This is normally derogatory, referring to a player who totally ignores quests, dialog, backstory, trade, world building etc.

The term is most common with Dungeons and Dragons, but it can be applied to most RPGs where the player is allowed to kill most quest-giving NPCs and NPC traders. E.g. Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Divinity original sin.

DM: The sad little orphan girl tugs at Steve's trenchcoat to get his attention, and ask for help saving her pet dog from...
Steve: I'd like to roll a strength check against strangling the orphan.
Dave: I call dibs on the dog.
DM: You murderhobos disgust me.

murderhobo by Loup&S September 9, 2021

Word of the Day on September 22, 2026

Whale

In sales terms, a whale is a prospect that is significantly larger than an organization’s average customer.

Whales are large and extremely difficult to close. Due to their immense size, they are highly sought-after.

A whale is typically identified at first by a whale hunter on the sales team, but often requires cross-discipline participation in order to close; this includes assistance from operations, engineering, creative, client success, and business development teams.

"Shit...the sales director chewed me out on the sales call this morning. He's totally pissed that I have nothing in my pipeline. I've been focused on this one whale for so long that I haven't had time to prospect for normal-sized deals."

Whale by FQ_GFY February 3, 2020

Word of the Day on September 21, 2026

Concrete cowboy

A guy who thinks he's a country kinda guy, but in reality lives a comfortable city / suburban life.

Eugene: Look at that dude in the cowboy hat!
Todd: He's just a concrete cowboy.

Concrete cowboy by EugeneJohnson42000 March 16, 2024

Word of the Day on September 20, 2026