Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Same as onychophagy.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The practice of biting one's nails

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • So, I'll have to do this through old-fashioned will power or some 12-step program or through aversion therapy or something. which gives the medical term for nail biting: onychophagia, from the Greek compound comprising the root of onyx (onycho -) "(finger / toe) nail" + phagia "eating."

    Marginal Notes 2009

  • The site tells us that, "studies seem to suggest a higher incidence of onychophagia amongst people with higher intelligence.

    Marginal Notes 2009

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