cacoëthes
noun
an irresistible urge; mania.
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cacoëthes
American
[kak-oh-ee-theez]
/ ˌkæk oʊˈi θiz /
Or
cacoethes
noun
cacoethes
British
/ ˌkækəʊˈiːθiːz, ˌkækəʊˈɛθɪk /
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cacoëthes
First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin, from Greek kakóēthes, neuter (used as noun) of kakoḗthēs “malignant,” literally, “of bad character”; see caco-, ethos
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The conditions just now are exceptionally favourable--that is, a cacoëthes scribendi has coincided with abundance of matter to write about, but the organs of the great external world naturally provide a model for the writer.
From Aspects of Modern Oxford by Godley, A. D. (Alfred Denis)
The cacoëthes scribendi is a disease common, not to imaginative, but to imitative, minds.
From Methods of Authors by Erichsen, Hugo
There were many things the kindly veteran would smooth over in order not to wound sensitive minds bitten with the cacoëthes scribendi.
From Victor Hugo: His Life and Works by Smith, G. Barnett
Remember that the slightest act of volition on your part can exalt my pecuniary status to the skies, as well as confer distinguished and unparagoned ennoblement upon your cacoëthes scribendi.
From Baboo Jabberjee, B.A. by Anstey, F.
For the Madigans' Aunt Anne was afflicted with cacoëthes scribendi, and was never so happy as when there was a letter to be written—except when she was actually writing it.
From The Madigans by Lowell, Orson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
