orexis

[aw-rek-sis, oh-rek-]

noun

Psychology.

1. the affective and conative character of mental activity as contrasted with its cognitive aspect; the appetitive aspect of an act.

Other Word Forms

• orectic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orexis¹

1610–20; < Latin: longing, appetite < Greek órexis desire, equivalent to orég(ein) to desire + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

Dr. Bratman, author of "Health Food Junkies," derived "orthorexia" from the Greek word "ortho" which means "right" or "correct" and "orexis" meaning "appetite" or "hunger."

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