hypochondria

[ hahy-puh-kon-dree-uh ]
/ ˌhaɪ pəˈkɒn dri ə /

noun

Also hy·po·chon·dri·a·sis [hahy-poh-kuh n-drahy-uh-sis] /ˌhaɪ poʊ kənˈdraɪ ə sɪs/. Psychiatry. an excessive preoccupation with one's health, usually focusing on some particular symptom, as cardiac or gastric problems.
excessive worry or talk about one's health.

Origin of hypochondria

1555–65; < Late Latin < Greek, neuter plural of hypochóndrios pertaining to the upper abdomen (supposed seat of melancholy), equivalent to hypo- hypo- + chóndr(os) ensiform cartilage + -ios adj. suffix

Words nearby hypochondria

hypochlorous, hypochlorous acid, hypochloruria, hypocholesteremia, hypocholesterolemia, hypochondria, hypochondriac, hypochondriacal melancholia, hypochondriasis, hypochondrium, hypochondroplasia

Definition for hypochondria (2 of 2)

hypochondrium
[ hahy-puh-kon-dree-uh m ]
/ ˌhaɪ pəˈkɒn dri əm /

noun, plural hy·po·chon·dri·a [hahy-puh-kon-dree-uh] /ˌhaɪ pəˈkɒn dri ə/. Anatomy.

either of two regions of the abdomen, situated on each side of the epigastrium and above the lumbar regions.

Origin of hypochondrium

1690–1700; < New Latin < Greek hypochóndrion abdomen. See hypochondria, -ium

Example sentences from the Web for hypochondria

British Dictionary definitions for hypochondria (1 of 2)

hypochondria
/ (ˌhaɪpəˈkɒndrɪə) /

noun

chronic abnormal anxiety concerning the state of one's health, even in the absence of any evidence of disease on medical examination Also called: hypochondriasis (ˌhaɪpəʊkɒnˈdraɪəsɪs)

Word Origin for hypochondria

C18: from Late Latin: the abdomen, supposedly the seat of melancholy, from Greek hupokhondria, from hupokhondrios of the upper abdomen, from hypo- + khondros cartilage

British Dictionary definitions for hypochondria (2 of 2)

hypochondrium
/ (ˌhaɪpəˈkɒndrɪəm) /

noun plural -dria (-drɪə)

anatomy the upper region of the abdomen on each side of the epigastrium, just below the lowest ribs

Word Origin for hypochondrium

C17: from New Latin, from Greek hupokhondrion; see hypochondria

Medical definitions for hypochondria (1 of 2)

hypochondria
[ hī′pə-kŏn′drē-ə ]

n.

The conviction that one is or is likely to become ill, often accompanied by physical symptoms, when illness is neither present nor likely. hypochondriasis

Medical definitions for hypochondria (2 of 2)

hypochondrium
[ hī′pə-kŏn′drē-əm ]

n. pl. hy•po•chon•dri•a (-drē-ə)

The upper lateral region of the abdomen on either side of the epigastrium and below the lower ribs.

Scientific definitions for hypochondria

hypochondria
[ hī′pə-kŏn′drē-ə ]

A psychiatric disorder characterized by the conviction that one is ill or soon to become ill, often accompanied by physical symptoms, when illness is neither present nor likely.♦ A person with hypochondria is called a hypochondriac.