geophagy (redirected from Clay-eater)

ge·oph·a·gy  (j-f-j)

n.

The eating of earthy substances, such as clay or chalk, practiced among various peoples as a custom or for dietary or subsistence reasons.

---

ge·opha·gism n.

ge·opha·gist n.

---

geophagy [dʒɪˈɒfədʒɪ], geophagia [ˌdʒɪəˈfeɪdʒə -dʒɪə], geophagism [dʒɪˈɒfədʒɪzəm]

n

1. (Social Science / Anthropology & Ethnology) the practice of eating earth, clay, chalk, etc., found in some primitive tribes

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Zoology the habit of some animals, esp earthworms, of eating soil

geophagist  n

geophagous  [dʒɪˈɒfəgəs] adj

---

geophagism, geophagy, geophagia

the eating of earthy matter, especially clay or chalk. — geophagist, n. — geophagous, adj.

See also: Earth

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

geophagy - eating earth, clay, chalk; occurs in some primitive tribes, sometimes in cases of nutritional deficiency or obsessive behavior geophagia pica - an eating disorder, frequent in children, in which non-nutritional objects are eaten persistently