First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
bulimia
noun bu·lim·ia \bü-ˈlē-mē-ə, byü-, -ˈli-\
: a serious physical and emotional illness in which people and especially young women eat large amounts of food and then cause themselves to vomit in order to not gain weight
Full Definition of BULIMIA
1
: an abnormal and constant craving for food
2
: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression —called also bulimia nervosa
— bu·lim·ic \-ˈlē-mik, -ˈli-\ adjective or noun
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Origin of BULIMIA
New Latin, from Greek boulimia great hunger, from bou-, augmentative prefix (from bous head of cattle) + limos hunger — more at cow
Medical Dictionary
bulimia
noun bu·lim·ia \byü-ˈlim-ē-ə, bü-, -ˈlē-mē-\
Medical Definition of BULIMIA
1
: an abnormal and constant craving for food—called also hyperorexia
2
: a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usually followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression
Variants of BULIMIA
bu·lim·ia also bou·lim·ia \bü-\
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