{ ‖ } n. [ NL. bulimia, fr. Gr. boylimi`a, lit., ox-hunger; boy^s ox + limo`s hunger: cf. F. boulimie. ] 1. (Med.) A disease in which there is a perpetual and insatiable appetite for food; a diseased and voracious appetite. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. a disordered eating habit characterized by occasional episodes of excessive eating, followed by self-induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives, to avoid gaining weight; it is often accompanied by feelings of guilt; -- called also bulimia nervosa and binge-purge syndrome. It is observed mainly in young women of normal weight. [ PJC ]