kleptomania

or clep·to·ma·ni·a

[ klep-tuh-mey-nee-uh, -meyn-yuh ]
/ ˌklɛp təˈmeɪ ni ə, -ˈmeɪn yə /

noun Psychology.

an irresistible impulse to steal, stemming from emotional disturbance rather than economic need.

Origin of kleptomania

1820–30; klepto- (combining form of Greek kléptēs thief) + -mania

Words nearby kleptomania

klepht, klepto, kleptocracy, kleptocrat, kleptocratic, kleptomania, kleptomaniac, klesha, kletterschuh, kleve, klezmer

Example sentences from the Web for kleptomania

British Dictionary definitions for kleptomania

kleptomania
/ (ˌklɛptəʊˈmeɪnɪə) /

noun

psychol a strong impulse to steal, esp when there is no obvious motivation

Derived forms of kleptomania

kleptomaniac, noun

Word Origin for kleptomania

C19: klepto- from Greek kleptēs thief, from kleptein to steal + -mania

Medical definitions for kleptomania

kleptomania
[ klĕp′tə-mā′nē-ə, -mān′yə ]

n.

An obsessive impulse to steal regardless of economic need, usually arising from an unconscious symbolic value associated with the stolen item.

Other words from kleptomania

klep′to•ma′ni•ac′ (-nē-ăk′) adj.

Cultural definitions for kleptomania

kleptomania
[ (klep-tuh-may-nee-uh) ]

A compulsion to steal, usually without either economic need or personal desire.