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dipsomania

American  
[dip-suh-mey-nee-uh, -soh-] / ˌdɪp səˈmeɪ ni ə, -soʊ- /

noun

  1. (no longer in technical use) an irresistible, typically periodic craving for alcoholic drinks.


dipsomania British  
/ ˌdɪpsəʊˈmeɪnɪə /

noun

  1. a compulsive desire to drink alcoholic beverages

"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 dipsomania

First recorded in 1835–45; from New Latin, from Greek díps(a) “thirst” + -o- connecting vowel + manía “enthusiasm (for)”; see origin at -o- -mania

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.

It had the Thin Man's pace, bounce and snappy dialogue, exciting murder and air of amiable dipsomania.

From Time Magazine Archive

No "psychological" picture is complete nowadays without a case of amnesia, schizophrenia, paranoia or at least galloping dipsomania.

From Time Magazine Archive

The parallel between dipsomania and bibliomania is very close and suggestive, and I have often thought that more should be made of it. 

From Books and Bookmen by Maclaren, Ian

Surely young men and women should be taught something of the causes of zymotic disease, and of scrofula, consumption, rickets, dipsomania, cerebral derangement, and such like. 

From Health and Education by Kingsley, Charles

Surely young men and women should be taught something of the causes of zymotic disease, and of scrofula, consumption, rickets, dipsomania, cerebral derangement, and such like.

From Sanitary and Social Lectures, etc by Kingsley, Charles

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