xerophagy

[ zi-rof-uh-jee ]

noun

, plural xe·roph·a·gies.

1. a Lenten fast observed especially during Holy Week, constituting the strictest fast in the Eastern Church.

Word History and Origins

Origin of xerophagy¹

1650–60; < Late Latin xerophagia < Greek xērophagía, derivative of xērophageîn to eat dry food. See xero-, -phagy