Webster's English Dictionary

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catharsis

ca.thar.sis \k*-'tha:r-s*s\ \-'tha:r-.se-z\ n or ca.thar.ses [NL, fr. Gk 
   katharsis, fr. kathairein to cleanse, purge, fr. kat] pl haros pure 1: 
   PURGATION  2a: purification or purgation of the emotions (as pity and fear) 
   primarily  through art 2b: a purification or purgation that brings about 
   spiritual renewal or rele ase from tension 3: elimination of a complex by 
   bringing it to consciousness and affording i t expression