| ritual | In psychiatry and psychology, any psychomotor activity (e.g., morbid handwashing) sustained by an individual to relieve anxiety or forestall its development; typically seen in obsessive-compulsive neurosis. Origin: L. Ritualis, fr. Ritus, rite (05 Mar 2000) |
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| ritualistic behaviour | Automatic behaviour of psychogenic or cultural origin. (05 Mar 2000) |