Dipsomania
/ˌdɪp.səˈmeɪ.ni.ə/noun
A strong, often uncontrollable craving for alcohol.
Did you know?Dipsomania was coined in the 19th century from Greek roots for “thirst” and “madness,” showing how Victorian medicine framed addiction in almost spell-like language.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
δίψα (dípsa)
“thirst”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μανία (manía)
“madness, frenzy”
19th Century
English
dipsomania
“a morbid craving for alcohol; periodic drunkenness”
Modern English
English
dipsomania
“a strong, compulsive desire to drink alcohol”