xerophagy

[ zi-rof-uh-jee ]

/ zɪˈrɒf ə dʒi /

a Lenten fast observed especially during Holy Week, constituting the strictest fast in the Eastern Church.

Also xe·ro·pha·gia

[zeer-uh-fey-juh, -jee-uh] /ˌzɪər əˈfeɪ dʒə, -dʒi ə/.

Origin of xerophagy

1650–60; < Late Latin xerophagia < Greek xērophagía, derivative of xērophageîn to eat dry food. See xero-, -phagy