onychophagist

English

WOTD – 25 April 2007

Etymology

From onychophagy +‎ -ist = onycho- +‎ -phag(y) +‎ -ist, from Ancient Greek ὀνυχο- (onuch), combining form of ὄνυξ (ónux, “claw, nail”) + -φαγος (-phagos, “eater”), from ἐφαγόν (ephagón, “I ate”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɒnɪˈkɒfəd͡ʒɪst/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɑnəˈkɑfəd͡ʒɪst/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

onychophagist (plural onychophagists)

1. (rare) A person who bites his or her fingernails.

Related terms

• onychophagia