geophagy

geophagy definition - medical

ge·oph·a·gy (jē-ŏfˈə-jē) or ge·oph·a·gism (-jĭzˌəm) or ge·o·pha·gia (jēˌə-fāˈjə)

noun
The eating of earthy substances, such as clay or chalk, that is practiced as a custom or for dietary or subsistence reasons. Also called dirt-eating.

Related Forms:

  • ge·ophˈa·gist noun

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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