cacoëthes

American  

[kak-oh-ee-theez] / ˌkæk oʊˈi θiz /

Or cacoethes

noun

1. an irresistible urge; mania.

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cacoethes British  

/ ˌkækəʊˈiːθiːz, ˌkækəʊˈɛθɪk /

noun

1. an uncontrollable urge or desire, esp for something harmful; mania

   a cacoethes for smoking

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Other Word Forms

• cacoethic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cacoëthes

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin, from Greek kakóēthes, neuter (used as noun) of kakoḗthēs “malignant,” literally, “of bad character”; caco-, ethos

Example Sentences

There were many things the kindly veteran would smooth over in order not to wound sensitive minds bitten with the cacoëthes scribendi.

From Victor Hugo: His Life and Works by Smith, G. Barnett

The conditions just now are exceptionally favourable--that is, a cacoëthes scribendi has coincided with abundance of matter to write about, but the organs of the great external world naturally provide a model for the writer.

From Aspects of Modern Oxford by Godley, A. D. (Alfred Denis)

Remember that the slightest act of volition on your part can exalt my pecuniary status to the skies, as well as confer distinguished and unparagoned ennoblement upon your cacoëthes scribendi.

From Baboo Jabberjee, B.A. by Anstey, F.

It is a mode of paralysis—a cacoëthes tacendi—the one form that malady takes in me.

From Selected Prose of Oscar Wilde by Wilde, Oscar

For the Madigans' Aunt Anne was afflicted with cacoëthes scribendi, and was never so happy as when there was a letter to be written—except when she was actually writing it.

From The Madigans by Lowell, Orson