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an irresistible urge or obsession to do something harmful or destructive
synonyms:compulsionmania
The word 'cacoethes' comes from the Greek 'kakos' meaning 'bad' and 'ethos' meaning 'character' or 'nature'. It was adopted into Latin and has been used in English since the 17th century.
Cacoethes is typically used in literary or psychological contexts, often to describe behaviors or urges that are self-destructive or irrational.
This word is rarely used in everyday conversation and is more common in literary or academic discussions.
Despite knowing the risks, she felt a cacoethes to gamble her savings away.
His cacoethes for collecting rare and dangerous animals often left his friends worried for his safety.
The novel explored the protagonist's cacoethes for writing, which ultimately led to his downfall.
Cacoethes is a fascinating word that captures the essence of human obsession in its most negative form. With roots in both Greek and Latin, it describes an urge that is not only irresistible but often quite harmful. Think of it as a charmingly dark term that makes you reflect on the quirks of human behavior! While not commonly used in daily conversation, it serves as a perfect descriptor in literature and psychology, adding a touch of eloquence to discussions about our more questionable impulses.