Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » hypochondria

hypochondria

(hī′pə kän′drē ə)

noun

abnormal anxiety over one's health, often with imaginary illnesses and severe melancholy

Origin: ModL < LL, pl., abdomen (the supposed seat of the condition) < pl. of Gr hypochondrion, soft part of the body below the cartilage of the breastbone < hypo- (see hypo-) + chondros, cartilage, by dissimilation < -chrondros < IE *ghren- < base *gher-, to pulverize, rub hard > grind, ground

See hypochondria in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The persistent conviction that one is or is likely to become ill, often involving symptoms when illness is neither present nor likely, and persisting despite reassurance and medical evidence to the contrary. Also called hypochondriasis.
Plural of hypochondrium.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin, abdomen

Origin: , from Greek hupokhondria

Origin: , pl. of hupokhondrion, abdomen (held to be the seat of melancholy)

Origin: , from

Origin: neuter of hupokhondrios, under the cartilage of the breastbone

Origin: : hupo-, hypo-

Origin: + khondros, cartilage; see ghrendh- in Indo-European roots

Learn more about hypochondria

hypochondria synonyms

hypochondria medical definition

hypochondria science