pica

Meaning

1. A disorder characterized by appetite and craving for non-edible substances, such as chalk, clay, dirt, ice, or sand.
2. A magpie.

Synonyms

allotriophagy

pica em

em

paroxia

bulimia

eating disorders

appetite disorders

depraved appetite

cissa

anorexia

cittosis

hyperphagia

parorexia

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpaɪkə/

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin pīca (“jay; magpie”). Doublet of pie (“magpie”).
* (pathology): From the idea that magpies will eat almost anything.