What does inappetence mean?
Inappetence is a noun that refers to a lack of appetite or a feeling of not wanting to eat. It is often used in medical contexts to describe a patient's loss of appetite, but can also be used in more general contexts. The word is derived from the Latin words 'in' and 'appetentia', meaning 'not wanting' and 'desire', respectively. Inappetence is often used interchangeably with the word 'anorexia', but the two words have slightly different connotations. While anorexia typically implies a more severe and pathological lack of appetite, inappetence can be used to describe a more general feeling of not wanting to eat. Inappetence is a useful word for describing a range of situations, from a patient's loss of appetite to a general feeling of not wanting to eat. It is an interesting word because it highlights the complex relationship between appetite and desire, and the ways in which our appetites can be influenced by a range of factors, including physical and emotional health.
nounA lack of appetite; a feeling of not wanting to eat.
- A lack of appetite; a feeling of not wanting to eat.
"After a week of illness, she experienced a complete loss of appetite, or inappetence."
"After a week of illness, she experienced a complete loss of appetite, or inappetence."
"The patient's inappetence was a sign of her underlying condition."
The plural form inappetences is used to describe multiple instances of a lack of appetite.
"The patient's inappetences were a sign of her underlying condition."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of inappetence
The word inappetence is derived from the Latin words 'in' and 'appetentia', meaning 'not wanting' and 'desire', respectively. The word 'appetentia' is itself derived from the Latin word 'appetere', meaning 'to desire' or 'to long for'. The word inappetence has been in use since the 15th century, and has been used in a range of contexts, including medicine and literature.
How inappetence is actually used
Inappetence is often used in medical contexts to describe a lack of appetite in patients. It can also be used in more general contexts to describe a feeling of not wanting to eat.