anorexia
UK: ˌæn.əˈrek.si.ə | US: ˌæn.əˈrek.si.ə
n. A medical condition characterized by a loss of appetite or an inability to eat, often due to psychological causes.
n. (Colloquially) Short for anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder marked by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.
anorexia = an<without> + orex<appetite> + ia<condition>
- an (from Greek an-, meaning "without")
- orex (from Greek órexis, meaning "appetite" or "desire")
- ia (Greek suffix denoting a medical condition or state)
Etymology Origin:
The word anorexia originates from Greek, where an- (absence) + órexis (appetite) literally means "without appetite." The suffix -ia was commonly used in medical terminology to describe pathological conditions. Over time, anorexia evolved from a general term for loss of appetite to its modern association with the psychological disorder anorexia nervosa. The logical progression reflects how Greek roots were adopted into Latin and later English medical vocabulary.
Severe stress can lead to temporary anorexia in some patients.
She was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at the age of 16.
The doctor noted anorexia as a side effect of the medication.
Early intervention is crucial for treating anorexia.
His research focuses on the neurological causes of anorexia.