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dementia praecox

American  
[dih-men-shuh pree-koks] / dɪˈmɛn ʃə ˈpri kɒks /

noun

Psychiatry.
  1. (no longer in technical use) schizophrenia.


dementia praecox British  
/ ˈpriːkɒks /

noun

  1. a former name for schizophrenia

"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

Etymology

Origin of dementia praecox

First recorded in 1895–1900; from New Latin: “precocious dementia”

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.

See Examples For:

Aged 57, this man was diagnosed dementia praecox, paranoid, onset “more than 10 years ago.”

From The New Yorker Jul. 27, 2015

Their collection contains brain, heart, liver and spleen tissues from about 1,400 autopsies, 95 of which are labeled "dementia praecox," an antiquated diagnosis similar to schizophrenia.

From Scientific American Jan. 9, 2012

The news: Dr. Charles H. Mayo's statement that dementia praecox can be relieved by a drug.

From Time Magazine Archive

Two physicians from the Manhattan Hospital said he was suffering from dementia praecox and had delusions of persecution by his mother and brother.

From Time Magazine Archive

Such a case is usually diagnosed as a chronic manic or a dementia praecox, according to the taste of the examiner.

From The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Volume 10 by Various

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