Wiktionary:Word of the day/2026/May 6

Word of the day
for May 6

psych v (transitive, informal)

(psychoanalysis) Synonym of psychoanalyse (“to treat (someone) using psychoanalysis”); also, to carry out psychological testing on (someone).
(originally and chiefly US, by extension) Chiefly followed by out: to analyse (something), especially psychologically; also (generally), to work out (something).

(originally US, informal)

(transitive, also reflexive)
1. Often followed by out: to deceive, intimidate, or otherwise manipulate (someone or oneself) emotionally or using psychology.
2. Often followed by up: to put (someone or oneself) into a mental or psychological state where one is ready for some (often challenging) experience; specifically, to make (someone or oneself) enthusiastic or excited about something.
(intransitive)
1. Of a person: to get into a mental or psychological state where one is ready for some (often challenging) experience; specifically, to make oneself enthusiastic or excited about something.
2. (US) Followed by out: to become mentally confused or disturbed. [...]

The Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud, who founded psychoanalysis, was born on this day 170 years ago in 1856.