polydipsia

[ pol-ee-dip-see-uh ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

1. excessive thirst.

polydipsia

/ ˌpɒlɪˈdɪpsɪə /

noun

1. pathol excessive thirst

Derived Forms

• ˌpolyˈdipsic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polydipsia¹

1650–60; < New Latin < Greek polydíps ( ios ) very thirsty ( poly- poly- + díps ( a ) thirst + -ios adj. suffix) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of polydipsia¹

C18: New Latin, from poly- + -dipsia, from Greek dipsa thirst

Example Sentences

Her medical cause of death was hyponatraemic encephalopathy, acute hyponatremia and psychogenic polydipsia.

From BBC

Dr. Refardt sums up: "In view of these results, we recommend the salt infusion test as the gold standard for reliable differentiation between polydipsia and vasopressin deficiency."

From Science Daily

On the other hand, some individuals experience polydipsia—a condition that causes excessive, unquenchable thirst.

From Scientific American

Thus psychogenic polydipsia might be cited to prove water a drug of dependence.

From Nature

Sometimes that process isn’t as straightforward as it should be: People with a syndrome called polydipsia feel excessive thirst and drink enormous quantities of water.

From New York Times