dyspeptic

1 of 2

adjective

dys·​pep·​tic -ˈpep-tik How to pronounce dyspeptic (audio)
: relating to or suffering from pain caused by digestive problems : having or relating to dyspepsia
dyspeptic symptoms
dyspeptic patients
dyspeptically adverb

dyspeptic

2 of 2

noun

: a person having dyspepsia

Did you know?

Dyspepsia comes from the Greek word for "bad digestion". Interestingly, the Greek verb pessein can mean either "to cook" or "to digest;" bad cooking has been responsible for a lot of dyspepsia. Dyspepsia can be caused by many diseases, but dyspeptic individuals are often the victims of their own habits and appetites. Worry, overeating, inadequate chewing, and excessive smoking and drinking can all bring on dyspepsia. Today we generally use dyspeptic to mean "irritable"—that is, in the kind of mood that could be produced by bad digestion.

Dictionary Entries Near dyspeptic

Cite this Entry

“Dyspeptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/dyspeptic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on dyspeptic

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!