bulimia

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: bu=lim=i=a

CIDE DICTIONARY

bulimia, n. [NL. bulimia, fr. Gr. boylimi`a, lit., ox-hunger; boy^s ox + limo`s hunger: cf. F. boulimie.].

•  A disease in which there is a perpetual and insatiable appetite for food; a diseased and voracious appetite.  [1913 Webster]
•  a disordered eating habit characterized by occasional episodes of excessive eating, followed by self-induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives, to avoid gaining weight; it is often accompanied by feelings of guilt; -- called also bulimia nervosa and binge-purge syndrome. It is observed mainly in young women of normal weight.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

bulimia, n. Med.
1 insatiable overeating.
2 (in full bulimia nervosa) an emotional disorder in which bouts of extreme overeating are followed by depression and self-induced vomiting, purging, or fasting.

Derivative

bulimic adj. & n.

Etymology

mod.L f. Gk boulimia f. bous ox + limos hunger