noun

anorexia

an-uh-REK-see-uh/ˌænəˈreksiə/

An eating disorder involving severe food restriction and a distorted view of one's body.

The therapist supports a patient recovering from anorexia during a meal.

A distressed adult sits with a therapist beside a small ordinary meal, hands tensely clasped and expression anxious as the therapist offers calm support; represent eating-disorder care without thinness ideals, body distortion, scales, measurements or harmful instructions.

Etymology

anGreeknot, without

+orexGreekappetite, desire

+iaGreekabstract noun ending

The pieces name a state of “lack of appetite,” the word’s original medical meaning. In the selected modern sense, anorexia is short for anorexia nervosa, the eating disorder involving self-starvation and fear of weight gain.

In context

St Patrick's Mental Health Services3:33

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by low body weight and the weight loss is self-induced by restricting food

Eating Disorders Awareness Week Webinar | A connected approach to eating disorders

More examples

The clinic provides care for people with anorexia.
Her account challenged common misconceptions about anorexia.
The study examined experiences of anorexia among young adults.

Forms

anorexia

Similar words

anorexia nervosa: Anorexia nervosa is the full name of this eating disorder; anorexia alone can also mean loss of appetite.
bulimia: Bulimia is a different eating disorder involving recurrent binge eating and compensatory behaviors.