obsessive
UK: əbˈsesɪv | US: əbˈsesɪv
adj. 1. Characterized by excessive preoccupation or fixation.
adj. 2. Relating to persistent, intrusive thoughts or impulses.
n. 3. A person who exhibits obsessive behavior or tendencies.
The word "obsessive" derives from Latin obsess-, the past participle stem of obsidēre ("to besiege"), combining ob- ("against") + sedēre ("to sit"). Originally used in a military context ("to besiege"), it evolved metaphorically to describe mental fixation ("haunted by thoughts"). The suffix -ive (from Latin -ivus) forms adjectives indicating tendency or capacity. Thus, "obsessive" literally means "having the quality of besieging," reflecting its modern psychological connotation of persistent, overwhelming thoughts.
His obsessive attention to detail made him an excellent editor.
She developed an obsessive fear of germs after reading about diseases.
The artist’s obsessive focus on perfection delayed the project for months.
Obsessive thoughts can be a symptom of anxiety disorders.
He was labeled an obsessive for collecting every version of the rare comic.