polydipsia

noun

poly·​dip·​sia ˌpä-lē-ˈdip-sē-ə How to pronounce polydipsia (audio)
: excessive or abnormal thirst
polydipsic adjective

Examples of polydipsia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Low Vasopressin Large amounts of diluted urine and excessive thirst (polydipsia) are characteristic of a group of conditions formerly known as diabetes insipidus. James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024 Your diet may play a role in potentially developing polydipsia or related symptoms, certainly, as can other lifestyle factors; sometimes, thirst may be an indicator of a larger issue that requires a doctor's help. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 27 Sep. 2020 At Patton, Nunez was treated for schizophrenia and developed psychogenic polydipsia, which drives a pervasive addiction to water. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2019 Psychogenic polydipsia is a chronic disorder in which certain psychiatric patients compulsively consume large quantities of water. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2019 Though dying from drinking too much fluid might sound like a freak accident, polydipsia is not uncommon in psychiatric hospitals like Springfield. Emily Woodruff, baltimoresun.com, 9 June 2017 Among patients with schizophrenia, those with severe polydipsia have a 75 percent chance of dying before patients without the compulsion to drink water, according to another study published in 2009 in Schizophrenia Research. Emily Woodruff, baltimoresun.com, 9 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek polýdipsos "causing great thirst" (from poly- poly- + -dipsos, adjective derivative of dípsa "thirst," of uncertain origin) + -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polydipsia was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near polydipsia

Cite this Entry

“Polydipsia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polydipsia. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

polydipsia

noun
poly·​dip·​sia ˌpäl-i-ˈdip-sē-ə How to pronounce polydipsia (audio)
: excessive or abnormal thirst
polydipsic adjective

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