Advertisement

Advertisement

cacoëthes

or cac·o·e·thes

[ kak-oh-ee-theez ]

noun

  1. an irresistible urge; mania.


cacoethes

/ ˌkækəʊˈiːθiːz; ˌkækəʊˈɛθɪk /

noun

  1. an uncontrollable urge or desire, esp for something harmful; mania

    a cacoethes for smoking



Discover More

Derived Forms

  • cacoethic, adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of cacoëthes1

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin, from Greek kakóēthes, neuter (used as noun) of kakoḗthēs “malignant,” literally, “of bad character”; caco-, ethos

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of cacoëthes1

C16: from Latin cacoēthes malignant disease, from Greek kakoēthēs of an evil disposition, from kakos caco- + ēthos character

Discover More

Example Sentences

Erasmus shared with most scholars of the Renaissance the cacoethes scribendi.

This cacoethes scribendi is the pest of every local curiosity or public watering-place.

Among the rest she was seized with what we men call a cacoethes of the needle: "a raging desire" for work.

As cool as you like old Peter replied, 'Cacoethes loquendi.'

I do not believe that there are any cases of the cacoethes subscribendi.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


cacoepycacogenics