from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Psychoanalysis \Psy`cho*a*nal"y*sis\, n.
1. A method or process of psychotherapeutic analysis and
treatment pf psychoneuroses, based on the work of Dr.
Sigmund Freud (1856- 1939) of Vienna. The method rests
upon the theory that neurosis is characteristically due to
repression of desires consciously rejected but
subconsciously persistent; it consists in a close analysis
of the patient's mental history, effort being made to
bring unconsciuos and preconscious material to
consciousness; the methods include analysis of
transferance and resistance. In some variants, stress is
laid upon the dream life, and of treatment by means of
suggestion.
[Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
2. The theory of human psychology which is the foundation for
the psychoanalytic therapy, which explores the relation
between conscious and unconscious mental processes in
motivating human behavior and causing neuroses.
[PJC]
3. An integrated set of theories of human personality
development, motivation, and behavior based on a body of
observations. --[Stedman]
[PJC]
4. One of several schools of psychotherapy, such as {jungian
psychoanalysis} or {freudian psychoanalysis}. --[Stedman]
[PJC] -- {Psy`cho*an`a*lyt"ic}, a.; {Psych`o*an"al*ist},
n., etc.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]