bulimia nervosa

1 definition found

bulimia nervosa - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Bulimia \Bu*lim"i*a\ (b[u^]*l[i^]m"[i^]*[.a]), Bulimy
  \Bu"li*my\, n. [NL. bulimia, fr. Gr. boylimi`a, lit., ox-hunger;
     boy^s ox + limo`s hunger: cf. F. boulimie.]
     1. (Med.) A disease in which there is a perpetual and
        insatiable appetite for food; a diseased and voracious
        appetite.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. a disordered eating habit characterized by occasional
        episodes of excessive eating, followed by self-induced
        vomiting or abuse of laxatives, to avoid gaining weight;
        it is often accompanied by feelings of guilt; -- called
        also bulimia nervosa and binge-purge syndrome. It is
        observed mainly in young women of normal weight.
        [PJC]