penis envy
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envy
a desire to have another's possessions or qualities for oneself.
penis envy in psychoanalysis, the concept that the female envies the male his possession of a penis, first described by Freud as occurring during the phallic stage in little girls as they become aware of anatomical differences between the sexes. It is often used more broadly for the women's generalized envy of men or their characteristics.
pe·nis en·vy
the psychoanalytic concept in which a female envies male characteristics or capabilities, especially the possession of a penis.
penis envy
n.
The supposed wish of a girl or woman to have a penis, postulated in Freudian psychoanalytic theory as causing psychic conflict that drives female psychosexual development and results in psychological disorders if not resolved.
penis envy
literally, female envy of the male penis, but generally a female wish for male attributes, position, and advantages. It is believed by some psychologists to be a significant factor in female personality development. Compare castration anxiety.
penis envy
Psychiatry The unconscious desire by ♀ to have a penis which, per psychoanalysts, corresponds to an unresolved castration complex. Cf Oedipus complex.pe·nis en·vy
(pēnis envē)Psychoanalytic concept that a female envies male characteristics or capabilities, especially the possession of a penis.