bulimia

[ byoo-lim-ee-uh, -lee-mee-uh, boo-, buh- ]

noun

1. Also called binge-purge syn·drome [binj, -, purj, sin-drohm], Psychiatry. a habitual disturbance in eating behavior mostly affecting young women of normal weight, characterized by frequent episodes of grossly excessive food intake followed by self-induced vomiting to avert weight gain. Compare anorexia nervosa.
2. Also called hyperphagia. Pathology. abnormally voracious appetite or unnaturally constant hunger.

bulimia

/ bjuːˈlɪmɪə /

noun

1. pathologically insatiable hunger, esp when caused by a brain lesion
2. Also calledbulimia nervosa a disorder characterized by compulsive overeating followed by vomiting: sometimes associated with anxiety about gaining weight

bulimia

/ bo̅o̅-lē′mē-ə /

1. An eating disorder characterized by uncontrolled rapid ingestion of large quantities of food over a short period of time, followed by self-induced vomiting, fasting, and other measures to prevent weight gain. It is most common among young women and teenage girls.

bulimia

1. An eating disorder that is characterized by episodic binge eating followed by feelings of guilt or depression and sometimes self-induced vomiting.

Derived Forms

• buˈlimic, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulimia¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from New Latin, from Greek boulīmía “extreme hunger,” equivalent to bou- intensive prefix (derivative of bou-, stem of boûs ox ) + līm(ós) “hunger” + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulimia¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek boulimia , from bous ox + limos hunger

Example Sentences

It was the physical side effects of bulimia which Diamandis says encouraged her to get better, as her throat was so damaged she couldn’t sing.

From BBC

It took eight years for him to recover from anorexia, but soon afterwards he developed bulimia.

From BBC

With Winehouse’s great talent also came struggles with addiction, mental illness and bulimia.

From Seattle Times

He had myriad problems, including intermittent rages, bulimia, memory blackouts and depression, but it was for excessive drinking that he first sought treatment, from Dr. Jeffery Smith, a psychiatrist.

From New York Times

Eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder are serious mental health conditions that affect approximately one million Canadians.

From Salon

Related Words

• hunger
• starvation