onychophagia

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

/ ˌɒn ɪ koʊˈfeɪ dʒə, -dʒi ə /

noun Psychiatry.

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

QUIZZES

"EVERYDAY" VS. "EVERY DAY" QUIZ: IS IT ONE WORD OR TWO?

An everyday activity is one you do every day. (Thanks, English.) Practice using "everyday," one word, and "every day," two words, in this fun quiz with … everyday example sentences!

Question 1 of 16

“Everyday" is an adjective that describes things that happen habitually or items that are normal items or events.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of onychophagia

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

OTHER WORDS FROM onychophagia

on·y·choph·a·gist

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

Words nearby onychophagia

onychomadesis, onychomalacia, onychomycosis, onychoosteodysplasia, onychopathy, onychophagia, onychophagy, onychophoran, onychoplasty, onychorrhexis, onychoschizia