English Lexicon

Neurosis

/njʊəˈrəʊ.sɪs/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A relatively mild mental illness that is not caused by organic disease, characterized by anxiety, depression, or obsessive behavior.

    "She was diagnosed with neurosis after experiencing prolonged anxiety and stress."
  2. 2

    A psychological condition that can manifest in various forms, including phobias and compulsions.

    "His neurosis led him to develop an irrational fear of public speaking."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'neurosis' originates from the Greek word 'neuron', meaning 'nerve', combined with the suffix '-osis', indicating a condition or disease. It was first used in the early 19th century to describe various psychological disorders that were not attributable to physical causes.

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