pseudocyesis

American  

[soo-doh-sahy-ee-sis] / ˌsu doʊ saɪˈi sɪs /

noun

Pathology, Veterinary Pathology.

plural

pseudocyeses

1. false pregnancy.

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pseudocyesis British  

/ ˌsjuːdəʊsaɪˈiːsɪs /

noun

1. the technical name for phantom pregnancy

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Etymology

Origin of pseudocyesis

First recorded in 1810–20; pseudo- + cyesis

Example Sentences

Sometimes called false, hysterical, phantom, or delusional pregnancy, pseudocyesis manifests most or all symptoms of pregnancy, but no fetus.

From National Geographic • Sep. 11, 2023

Nonetheless, both federal prosecutor Roseann Ketchmark and the opposing expert witness forensic psychiatrist Park Dietz vehemently countered the diagnosis of pseudocyesis.

From Fox News • Dec. 31, 2020

This hinged on the claim that Montgomery was suffering from a rare condition called pseudocyesis that caused her to believe she was pregnant and thought that Stinnett’s baby was hers.

From Slate • Dec. 21, 2020

Her defense team suggested that she suffered from a rare condition called pseudocyesis — when a woman believes she is pregnant and will even develop physical symptoms.

From New York Times • Dec. 18, 2020

The most noteworthy historic case of pseudocyesis is that of Queen Mary of England, or "Bloody Mary," as she was called.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)