onychophagia

[on-i-koh-fey-juh, -jee-uh]

noun Psychiatry.

the practice of biting one's nails, especially when done habitually and as a symptom of emotional disturbance.

Origin of onychophagia

1895–1900; < Greek onycho- (combining form of ónyx nail, claw; see onyx) + -phagia

Related formson·y·choph·a·gist

[on-uh-kof-uh-jist] /ˌɒn əˈkɒf ə dʒɪst/, noun