bulimia

[ byoo-lim-ee-uh, -lee-mee-uh, boo-, buh- ]
/ byuˈlɪm i ə, -ˈli mi ə, bu-, bə- /

noun

Also called hyperphagia. Pathology. abnormally voracious appetite or unnaturally constant hunger.
Also called binge-purge syndrome, bulim·ia ner·vo·sa [nur-voh-suh] /nɜrˈvoʊ sə/. Psychiatry. a habitual disturbance in eating behavior mostly affecting young women of normal weight, characterized by frequent episodes of grossly excessive food intake followed by self-induced vomiting to avert weight gain. Compare anorexia nervosa.
Also boulimia.

Origin of bulimia

1350–1400; Middle English < New Latin < Greek boulīmía extreme hunger, equivalent to bou- intensive prefix (derivative of bou-, stem of boûs ox) + līm(ós) hunger + -ia -ia

Example sentences from the Web for bulimia

British Dictionary definitions for bulimia

bulimia
/ (bjuːˈlɪmɪə) /

noun

pathologically insatiable hunger, esp when caused by a brain lesion
Also called: bulimia nervosa a disorder characterized by compulsive overeating followed by vomiting: sometimes associated with anxiety about gaining weight

Derived forms of bulimia

bulimic, noun, adjective

Word Origin for bulimia

C17: from New Latin, from Greek boulimia, from bous ox + limos hunger

Medical definitions for bulimia

bulimia
[ bōō-lēmē-ə, -lĭmē-ə, byōō- ]

n.

A chronic eating disorder involving repeated and secretive episodes of eating, characterized by uncontrolled rapid ingestion of large quantities of food over a short period of time, followed by self-induced vomiting, purging, and anorexia and accompanied by feelings of guilt, depression, or self-disgust. bulimia nervosa hyperorexia

Other words from bulimia

bu•limic adj. n.

Scientific definitions for bulimia

bulimia
[ bōō-lēmē-ə ]

An eating disorder characterized by uncontrolled rapid ingestion of large quantities of food over a short period of time, followed by self-induced vomiting, fasting, and other measures to prevent weight gain. It is most common among young women and teenage girls.

Cultural definitions for bulimia

bulimia

An eating disorder that is characterized by episodic binge eating followed by feelings of guilt or depression and sometimes self-induced vomiting.