adjective / noun

anorectic

an-uh-REK-tik/ˌænəˈrɛktɪk/

Involving reduced appetite.

The anorectic patient leaves the meal untouched while discussing a lost appetite.

A patient at a small clinic table describes a lack of appetite, looking troubled at an ordinary untouched meal while a clinician listens supportively; no emaciation, body comparison, scales, numbers or weight-loss methods.

Etymology

“Without desire” here means without desire for food, giving the original medical sense “characterized by lack of appetite.” The adjective also applies to the eating disorder called anorexia.

In context

VCU Internal Medicine VCUHS8:34

whereas an anorectic patient believes they're heavy has altered body image does not want to gain weight an rfid patient does want to gain weight uh and knows they're thin

'Medical Complications of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia', presented by Dr. Philip Mehler

More examples

The clinician notes the patient's anorectic symptoms.
The study compares two prescribed anorectics.
She asks what anorectic means in the medical report.

Forms

anorectic · anorectics

Similar words

appetite suppressant: Specifically names an appetite-reducing substance rather than a symptom.
anorexic: Often specifically associated with anorexia nervosa rather than every appetite reduction.