Definitions for geophagy
dʒiˈɒf ə dʒi; ˌdʒi əˈfeɪ dʒə, -dʒi əgeophagy

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. geophagy, geophagianoun

   eating earth, clay, chalk; occurs in some primitive tribes, sometimes in cases of nutritional deficiency or obsessive behavior

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. geophagynoun

   The practice of eating earthy substances such as clay and chalk, often thought to augment a mineral-deficient diet.

2. Etymology: From geo- (earth) and the suffix -phagy (to feed on)

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. geophagy

   Geophagia (), also known as geophagy (), is the intentional practice of eating earth or soil-like substances such as clay, chalk, or termite mounds. It is a behavioural adaptation that occurs in many non-human animals and has been documented in more than 100 primate species. Geophagy in non-human primates is primarily used for protection from parasites, to provide mineral supplements and to help metabolize toxic compounds from leaves. Geophagy also occurs in humans and is most commonly reported among children and pregnant women.Human geophagia is a form of pica – the craving and purposive consumption of non-food items – and is classified as an eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) if not socially or culturally appropriate. Sometimes geophagy is a consequence of carrying a hookworm infection. Although its etiology remains unknown, geophagy has many potential adaptive health benefits as well as negative consequences.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. geophagy

   Geophagy is the practice of eating earth or soil-like substances, such as clay or chalk, often practiced by animals and humans in certain cultures or during certain physiological states. This behavior is observed in various species for potential health benefits or as a response to nutritional deficiencies.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Geophagy

   Geophagy is the practice of eating earthy or soil-like substances such as clay, and chalk. It exists in animals in the wild and also in humans, most often in rural or preindustrial societies among children and pregnant women. Human geophagy may be related to pica, a classified eating disorder in the DSM-IV characterized by abnormal cravings for nonfood items.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Geophagy

   jē-of′a-ji, n. the act or practice of eating earth—also Geoph′agism.—n. Geoph′agist.—adj. Geoph′agous. [Gr. gē, the earth, phagein, to eat.]

Matched Categories

1. • Pica

How to pronounce geophagy?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

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   Zira

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   Oliver

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   Wendy

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   Fred

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   Tessa

   South African

How to say geophagy in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of geophagy in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of geophagy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=geophagy
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Geophagy
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophagy
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=geophagy
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=geophagy