onychophagia

[ on-i-koh-fey-juh, -jee-uh ]

nounPsychiatry.
  1. the practice of biting one's nails, especially when done habitually and as a symptom of emotional disturbance.

Origin of onychophagia

1
1895–1900; <Greek onycho- (combining form of ónyx nail, claw; see onyx) + -phagia

Other words from onychophagia

  • on·y·choph·a·gist [on-uh-kof-uh-jist], /ˌɒn əˈkɒf ə dʒɪst/, noun

Words Nearby onychophagia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024