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Definition of xerophagy

xerophagy

/zɪˈrɑːfədʒi/
xe · roph · a · gy

Plural:xerophagies
•
Adjective:xerophagic
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xerophagy Lexical Profile

xerophagy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The practice of eating exclusively dry food, particularly as a strict form of fasting observed in early and Eastern Christian churches during periods such as Holy Week, typically restricting the diet to bread, salt, water, and raw vegetables.

Example

"During the final days of Lent, the devout monastics strictly adhered to xerophagy, consuming only coarse bread and water to maintain their spiritual focus."


2

A general dietary practice or medical regimen restricted solely to dry foods.

Example

"Historically, certain physicians prescribed a regimen of xerophagy to treat ailments they believed were caused by an excess of bodily humors."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for xerophagy

• Rhymes for xerophagy

Word Origin & Etymology

From Late Latin 'xerophagia', derived from Greek 'xērophagia', composed of 'xēros' (dry) and 'phagein' (to eat).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Xerophagy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/xerophagy
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