Cacoethes
English
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin cacoēthes, from Ancient Greek κακοήθης (“ill-disposed”), from:
- κακός (“bad”)
- ἦθος (“disposition, nature”)
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˌkækəʊˈiːθiːz/
- Hyphenation: ca·co·e·thes
Noun
cacoethes (plural cacoethes)
- Compulsion; mania; an often irresistible urge (especially toward something harmful or ill-advised).
- The cacoethes scribendi—the itch to write—has ruined many a peaceful life.
- He spoke of an incurable cacoethes for contradiction.
- Template:Lb A bad quality or disposition in a disease; a malignant tumour or ulcer.
- Physicians once used cacoethes for stubborn, malignant ulcers.
Usage notes
Not to be confused with cacoethics (“bad ethics or morals; bad habits”).
Alternative forms
- cacoëthes
Derived terms
- cacoethic
- cacoethical
- cacoethically
Translations
Sense 1: compulsion; mania
- Czech: posedlost; mánie
- French: contrainte; manie
- Polish: fiksacja
Sense 2 (obsolete medicine): malignant disposition in a disease
- Czech: sklon k churavosti
- French: tumeur maligne; ulcère
Anagrams
- acceehost
- coteaches
Latin
Etymology
From Ancient Greek κακόηθες (neuter of κακοήθης “ill-disposed”), from:
- κακός (“bad”)
- ἦθος (“disposition, nature”)
Pronunciation
- (Classical/Church Latin IPA varies by tradition; commonly written as cacoēthes.)
Noun
cacoēthes (neuter, 3rd declension)
- A malignant tumour or disease.
- Mania, especially an itch for writing (by extension).
Declension
(3rd declension, neuter)
References
- Lewis & Short (A Latin Dictionary)
- Elementary Lewis
- Gaffiot