pica
|pi/ca|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈpaɪkə/
🇬🇧
/ˈpiːkə/
indiscriminate consumption
Etymology
Etymology Information
'pica' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'pica,' where 'pica' meant 'magpie,' a bird known for its indiscriminate eating habits.
Historical Evolution
'pica' changed from the Latin word 'pica' and eventually became the modern English word 'pica.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'magpie,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an eating disorder' and 'a unit of type size.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an eating disorder characterized by the consumption of non-nutritive substances, such as dirt or paper.
The child was diagnosed with pica after eating chalk.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/22 07:15