dipsomaniac
Americannoun
noun
adjective
Synonym Usage
See inebriate.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dipsomaniac
First recorded in 1855–60; dipsomani(a) + -ac
Explanation
A dipsomaniac is a drunkard or alcoholic: someone who drinks alcohol to excess. Since dipsomania is a word for alcoholism, it makes sense that a dipsomaniac is an alcoholic. A dipsomaniac has a physical need for alcohol that goes beyond being thirsty: it’s an addiction. The dipsa root (meaning "thirst") turns up in a few other somewhat obscure words, such as adipsia(meaning "loss of thirst") and polydipsia (meaning "excessive thirst").
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.
In England a spendthrift or dipsomaniac can only be controlled when he has spent all his money.
From Woman and Womanhood A Search for Principles by Saleeby, C. W. (Caleb Williams)
The world must remain in a reverent doubt as to whether he would, on the same principles, have presented a diplomatist to a dipsomaniac or a ratiocinator to a rat catcher.
From The Man Who Knew Too Much by Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)
And his son was a hunchback and a dipsomaniac.
From Fire Mountain A Thrilling Sea Story by Springer, Norman
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.
