‖ malacia Path.
(məˈleɪʃ(ɪ)ə)
[L. malacia (stomachi), Gr. µαλακία softness, f. µαλακός soft.]
a. Morbid softening of a tissue or part. b. Depraved or fanciful appetite, as in chlorosis or pregnancy or dirt-eating. (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1889.)
| 1657 Physical Dict., Malacia,..a corrupt appetite,..which is the cause of longings in women. 1706 Phillips, Malacia,..a queasiness, or squeamishness of Stomach... Also a tenderness of Body. 1866 A. Flint Princ. Med. (1880) 511 Malacia denotes a morbid craving for certain articles of food or articles which are not devoid of nutrition, whereas pica denotes a desire for innutritious substances. |