dipsomania

[ dip-suh-mey-nee-uh, -soh- ]

noun

1. (no longer in technical use) an irresistible, typically periodic craving for alcoholic drinks.

dipsomania

/ ˌdɪpsəʊˈmeɪnɪə /

noun

1. a compulsive desire to drink alcoholic beverages

Word History and Origins

Origin of dipsomania¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from New Latin, from Greek díps(a) “thirst” + -o- connecting vowel + manía “enthusiasm (for)”; -o- -mania

Word History and Origins

Origin of dipsomania¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek dipsa thirst + -mania

Example Sentences

For the record, Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the noun “dipsomania” as “an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors.”

From Washington Times

For the record, Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the noun dipsomania as “an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic liquors.”

From Seattle Times

In "Ironweed" the clinical diagnosis is dipsomania.

From Los Angeles Times

And Daniel Davis is sublime as the, well, dotty Selsdon Mowbray, who cannot manage to make his one entrance on time, and whose dipsomania rattles the nerves of all as they attempt, and fail, to keep him from hitting the bottle.

From New York Times

For those who wish to keep their dipsomania an inside event, the hotel’s indoor pool — built in 1905, and thus one of America’s first — is fed with mineral springs water heated to a pleasant, relaxing temperature.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• appetite
• hankering
• hunger
• itch
• longing
• lust
• passion
• thirst
• yearning