appetite etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: adpĕtĕre ("to strive for, crave")

Meaning:

A natural desire or craving for food.

Origin:

The word "appetite" has its roots in the Latin phrase "ad peto," which means "to seek after" or "to strive for something." This phrase was used in the context of hunger, indicating a strong desire for food. Over time, "ad peto" evolved into "appetere" in Latin, and eventually "appetite" in English.

The concept of appetite has been recognized for centuries. In ancient Greek medicine, the physician Hippocrates believed that health and disease were influenced by the balance between four bodily humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Appetite was seen as a sign of proper digestion and nutrient absorption.

During the Middle Ages, the concept of appetite was further developed by Arabian physicians such as Avicenna, who wrote about the importance of a healthy appetite for overall well-being. In the 17th century, the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes defined appetite as the "endeavor towards a thing that causeth pleasure."

Today, the term "appetite" is widely used in fields such as nutrition, psychology, and medicine. It refers to the innate drive that prompts organisms to seek out food to satisfy their physiological needs.

appetite relate terms

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  • appetizing

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  • appetite

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