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hypochondria
noun
Examples of hypochondria in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypochondria.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
earlier, "organs of the upper abdomen behind the ribs (including the liver and gallbladder, thought to be the seat of melancholy)," borrowed from Late Latin, borrowed from Greek hypochóndria, plural of hypochóndrion (referring to either the left or right side of these organs), noun derivative from neuter of hypochóndrios "located beneath the cartilage (connecting the ribs and sternum)," from hypo- hypo- + -chondrios, adjective derivative of chóndros "gristle, cartilage" — more at chondro-
Note: Earlier also in the Anglicized form hypochondry, hypocondry, usually in the plural hypocondries, as in the following passage from Robert Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy (Oxford, 1621), p. 25: "The third Region is the lower Belly in which the liuer resides … with the rest of those naturall Organes, seruing for concoction, nourishment, expelling of excrements. This lower Region is distinguished from the vpper by the Midriffe, or Diaphragma, and is subdiuided againe by some into three concauities, or regions, vpper, middle, and lower. The upper of the Hypocondries, in whose right side is the Liuer, the left the Spleene. From which is denominated Hypocondriacall Melancholy."
1700, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hypochondria
Cite this Entry
“Hypochondria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypochondria. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
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hypochondria
nounMedical Definition
hypochondria
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on hypochondria
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hypochondria
Nglish: Translation of hypochondria for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hypochondria
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