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separation anxiety

noun

Definition of separation anxiety

  1. :  a form of anxiety experienced by a young child and caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings

See separation anxiety defined for English-language learners

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First Known Use of separation anxiety

1943

SEPARATION ANXIETY Defined for English Language Learners

separation anxiety

noun

Definition of separation anxiety for English Language Learners

  • : a feeling of strong fear and anxiety that is experienced by a young child when the child is separated from a parent

Medical Dictionary

separation anxiety

noun

Medical Definition of separation anxiety

  1. :  a form of anxiety that is caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings and that has an onset during childhood or sometimes adolescence

Learn More about separation anxiety

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about separation anxiety

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