Definition of Obsession

1. Noun. An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will. "Her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly"

Exact synonyms: Compulsion
Generic synonyms: Irrational Motive
Specialized synonyms: Onomatomania
Derivative terms: Compulsive, Compulsive, Obsessional

2. Noun. An unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone.
Exact synonyms: Fixation
Generic synonyms: Preoccupation
Derivative terms: Fixate, Fixate, Obsess, Obsess, Obsessional

Definition of Obsession

1. n. The act of besieging.

Definition of Obsession

1. Noun. A compulsive or irrational preoccupation. ¹

2. Noun. An unhealthy fixation. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Obsession

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Obsession

1. A recurrent, persistent thought, image or impulse that is unwanted and distressing (ego dystonic) and comes involuntarily to mind despite attempts to ignore or suppress it. Common obsessions involve thoughts of violence, contamination and self doubt. Origin: L. Obsessio This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology (11 Mar 2008)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Obsession

observer's meridian
observer variation
observers
observership
observerships
observes
observest
observeth
observin'
observing
observingly
obsess
obsessed
obsesses
obsessing
obsession
obsessional
obsessional neurosis
obsessionally
obsessions
obsessive
obsessive-compulsive
obsessive-compulsive disorder
obsessive-compulsive neurosis
obsessive-compulsive personality
obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
obsessive behaviour
obsessive personality
obsessively
obsessiveness

Literary usage of Obsession

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Proceedings of the American Society for Psychical Research by American Society for Psychical Research (1919)
"They established the fact of obsession and so afford a criterion by which we may judge other instances. There was no first grade evidence of the supernormal ..."

2. Experimental Spiritism: Book on Mediums; Or, Guide for Mediums and by Allan Kardec (1891)
"The word obsession is, in some sort, a generic term, by which we designate this ... Simple obsession is when a malicious spirit imposes himself on a medium, ..."

3. Morbid Fears and Compulsions: Their Psychology and Psychoanalytic Treatment by Horace Westlake Frink (1918)
"When the obsession first developed she feared that as a result of the fortune teller's magic she would die. When she first met Barney he happened to speak ..."

4. Hypnotism and treatment by suggestion by John Milne Bramwell (1910)
"I now propose to give a short history of these and some other cases of obsession. Then, with this material before us, I wish to draw attention to some ..."

5. A Dictionary of Psychological Medicine: Giving the Definition, Etymology and by Daniel Hack Tuke (1892)
"In a normal individual, obsession and impulse are thé conséquence of a violent ... Two elements are indispensable to obsession : (1) A centre which suddenly ..."

6. Your Psychic Powers and how to Develop Them by Hereward Carrington (1920)
"PRAYER IN Obsession In obsession cases particularly, prayer is of value, because of the relief from tension and the wholesome mental attitude induced. ..."

7. The Lower Niger and Its Tribes by Arthur Glyn Leonard (1906)
"CHAPTER II A. Obsession, AND POSSESSION—Continued POSSESSION BY ANIMAL SPIRITS—A GENERAL ASPECT Bur in discussing this question in its entirety, ..."

8. Proceedings of the American Society for Psychical Research by American Society for Psychical Research (1919)
"They established the fact of obsession and so afford a criterion by which we may judge other instances. There was no first grade evidence of the supernormal ..."

9. Experimental Spiritism: Book on Mediums; Or, Guide for Mediums and by Allan Kardec (1891)
"The word obsession is, in some sort, a generic term, by which we designate this ... Simple obsession is when a malicious spirit imposes himself on a medium, ..."

10. Morbid Fears and Compulsions: Their Psychology and Psychoanalytic Treatment by Horace Westlake Frink (1918)
"When the obsession first developed she feared that as a result of the fortune teller's magic she would die. When she first met Barney he happened to speak ..."

11. Hypnotism and treatment by suggestion by John Milne Bramwell (1910)
"I now propose to give a short history of these and some other cases of obsession. Then, with this material before us, I wish to draw attention to some ..."

12. A Dictionary of Psychological Medicine: Giving the Definition, Etymology and by Daniel Hack Tuke (1892)
"In a normal individual, obsession and impulse are thé conséquence of a violent ... Two elements are indispensable to obsession : (1) A centre which suddenly ..."

13. Your Psychic Powers and how to Develop Them by Hereward Carrington (1920)
"PRAYER IN Obsession In obsession cases particularly, prayer is of value, because of the relief from tension and the wholesome mental attitude induced. ..."

14. The Lower Niger and Its Tribes by Arthur Glyn Leonard (1906)
"CHAPTER II A. Obsession, AND POSSESSION—Continued POSSESSION BY ANIMAL SPIRITS—A GENERAL ASPECT Bur in discussing this question in its entirety, ..."

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