shmizla. From dictionary.com:ca·thex·is /kəˈθɛksɪs/ Pronunciation [kuh-thek-sis]
–noun, plural -thex·es /-ˈθɛksiz/ Pronunciation [-thek-seez]
Psychoanalysis.
1. the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.
2. the charge of psychic energy so invested.
[Origin: 1920–25; < NL < Gk káthexis a keeping, equiv. to kathek- (var. s. of katéchein to keep, hold on to, equiv. to cat + échein to have, hold) + -sis, as trans. of G Besetzung a taking possession of (Freud's term)]
—Related forms
ca·thec·tic /kəˈθɛktɪk/ Pronunciation [kuh-thek-tik]
In that second definition, "charge" comes off awf'lly figurative, to me.
