anorexia nervosa

noun

anorexia ner·​vo·​sa -(ˌ)nər-ˈvō-sə 

-zə

: a serious disorder in eating behavior that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss and that occurs most commonly in young women in their teens and early twenties

Examples of anorexia nervosa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The medical term anorexia nervosa (starvation by the mind) was only identified much later, by the British physician William Gull in 1873. —Anna Shechtman, Harper's Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024

Poor nutritional intake may also occur as a result of alcohol use disorder or eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2024

Even if a person has an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, the companies will happily sell them a semaglutide or tirzepatide product without a prescription. —C. Michael White / The Conversation, Quartz, 21 Oct. 2024

This is common in people with anorexia nervosa who often experience weight gain resistance. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, nervous anorexia

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anorexia nervosa

• bullosa
• fibrosa
• mimosa
• mucosa
• mucosae
• nodosa
• pilosa
• rugosa
• serosa
• dolorosa
• mariposa
• pigmentosa

Kids Definition

anorexia nervosa

noun

anorexia ner·​vo·​sa -(ˌ)nər-ˈvō-sə 

-zə

: a serious eating disorder especially of young women in their teens in which an abnormal fear of weight gain leads to faulty eating habits and extreme weight loss

Medical Definition

anorexia nervosa

noun

anorexia ner·​vo·​sa -(ˌ)nər-ˈvō-sə, -zə 

: a serious eating disorder that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss and that occurs most commonly in young women in their teens and early twenties