pseudocyesis

[ soo-doh-sahy-ee-sis ]

noun

, Pathology, Veterinary Pathology.

, plural pseu·do·cy·e·ses [soo-doh-sahy-, ee, -seez].

1. false pregnancy.

pseudocyesis

/ ˌsjuːdəʊsaɪˈiːsɪs /

noun

1. the technical name for phantom pregnancy

Word History and Origins

Origin of pseudocyesis¹

First recorded in 1810–20; pseudo- + cyesis

Example Sentences

Unsurprisingly, Seeman says, pseudocyesis occurs more often in cultures where married women are expected to produce children.

From National Geographic

Her defense team suggested that she suffered from a rare condition called pseudocyesis — when a woman believes she is pregnant and will even develop physical symptoms.

From New York Times

Her lawyers had also argued that she was suffering from pseudocyesis, which causes a woman to falsely believe she is pregnant and exhibit outward signs of pregnancy.

From Seattle Times

In more extreme cases, they can even experience pseudocyesis, in which their stomach swells throughout their partner’s pregnancy, only to begin retracting after the birth.

From The Guardian

Duchardt’s second strategy was to admit that although Montgomery was the killer, she was not guilty by reason of insanity – because, he believed, she had been suffering from a phantom pregnancy, or pseudocyesis.

From The Guardian