coprophagia
Definition
- Noun:
- The act or habit of eating feces: This term specifically refers to the consumption of excrement. In animals, this can be a normal behavioral trait. In humans, it is considered a pathological symptom, often associated with certain severe mental disorders or behavioral conditions.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Coprophagia is observed in some animal species, such as rabbits, as part of their normal digestive process.
- In clinical psychiatry, coprophagia in an adult patient may be a sign of a profound psychological disturbance.
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in scientific, veterinary, and medical contexts (e.g., zoology, psychiatry, animal behavior) rather than in everyday conversation.
- It can be used descriptively in a biological context:
Variants and Related Words
- Coprophagous (adj): Describing an organism that feeds on excrement.
- Dung beetles are coprophagous insects.
- Coprophagy: A synonym for coprophagia, often used interchangeably.
Synonyms
- Feces eating: A plain, non-technical description of the act.
- Scatophagy: A less common technical synonym.
Notes on Meaning
- The core meaning is consistent: the ingestion of fecal matter.
- The connotation is neutral in zoology/biology but carries a strong negative and clinical connotation when applied to human behavior.
Noun
-
eating feces; in human a symptom of some kinds of insanity
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