1. to invest emotional energy or desire in a person, object, or idea
Usage: psychology, psychoanalysis; third-person singular present tense of 'cathect'

Examples

• The patient cathects onto the therapist during treatment.
• She cathects her hopes and dreams onto her children.
• He cathects emotional energy into his creative work.
• The individual cathects libidinal energy onto various objects throughout development.
• Parents often cathect their aspirations onto their offspring.