Oedipus complex

Universal Words noun [sing.] (psychology) feelings of sexual desire that a boy has for his mother and the jealous feelings towards his father that this causes ORIGIN From the Greek story of Oedipus, whose father Laius had been told by the oracle that his son would kill him. Laius left Oedipus on a mountain to die, but a shepherd rescued him. Oedipus returned home many years later but did not recognize his parents. He killed his father and married his mother Jocasta.