cleptomania

[ klep-tuh-mey-nee-uh, -meyn-yuh ]

/ ˌklɛp təˈmeɪ ni ə, -ˈmeɪn yə /

noun Psychology.

kleptomania.

Nearby words

clepe, clepsydra, clept, cleptobiosis, cleptocracy, cleptomania, clerc, clerestory, clergy, clergyman, clergyperson

Origin of cleptomania

< Greek klépt(ein) to steal + -o- + -mania

Related forms

clep·to·ma·ni·ac, noun

Definition for cleptomania (2 of 2)

kleptomania

or clep·to·ma·ni·a

[ klep-tuh-mey-nee-uh, -meyn-yuh ]

/ ˌklɛp təˈmeɪ ni ə, -ˈmeɪn yə /

noun Psychology.

an irresistible impulse to steal, stemming from emotional disturbance rather than economic need.

Origin of kleptomania

1820–30; klepto- (combining form of Greek kléptēs thief) + -mania

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for cleptomania (1 of 2)

cleptomania

/ (ˌklɛptəʊˈmeɪnɪə, -ˈmeɪnjə) /

noun

a variant spelling of kleptomania

Derived Forms

cleptomaniac, noun

British Dictionary definitions for cleptomania (2 of 2)

kleptomania

/ (ˌklɛptəʊˈmeɪnɪə) /

noun

psychol a strong impulse to steal, esp when there is no obvious motivation

Derived Forms

kleptomaniac, noun

Word Origin for kleptomania

C19: klepto- from Greek kleptēs thief, from kleptein to steal + -mania

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for cleptomania

kleptomania

[ klĕp′tə-mā′nē-ə, -mān′yə ]

n.

An obsessive impulse to steal regardless of economic need, usually arising from an unconscious symbolic value associated with the stolen item.

Related forms

klep′to•ma′ni•ac′ (-nē-ăk′) adj.

Culture definitions for cleptomania

kleptomania

[ (klep-tuh-may-nee-uh) ]

A compulsion to steal, usually without either economic need or personal desire.