cacoethes

Noun

WordNet 3.0

an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or actionSynonyms: mania passion

Cacoethes \Cac`o*["e]"thes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ???????? of ill habits, ?? ???????? an ill habit; kako`s bad + ? habit]

1.A bad custom or habit; an insatiable desire; as, caco["e]thes scribendi, "The itch for writing". --Addison. [1913 Webster]

2.(Med.) A bad quality or disposition in a disease; an incurable ulcer. [1913 Webster]