Dipsia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An abnormal or uncontrollable desire to drink, often arising from a medical condition or psychological disorder
2. A pathological craving for liquids that drives someone to drink far more than normal thirst would require
3. An intense and persistent urge to consume drinks, typically symptomatic of an underlying disease or mental health issue

Etymology: Ancient Greek had a plain word for thirst, "dipsa," and "dipsia" is a Greek-style noun built on that same stem. English uses it in medicine for a state of abnormal or persistent thirst. The Greek suffix "-ia" typically names a condition or quality, so the word means something like "the state of being thirsty." The same stem turns up in "polydipsia," where "poly-" adds "much" or "many," giving excessive thirst.