In this post let us learn five words with suffix " MANIA" .What is a mania ? This word is associated with madness. The Greek and Latin word for madness is mania. Obsession with something is a sort of madness. The subject of obsession may be different in respect of people. There are many English words which describe such obsession by words suffixed with - mania. Let us learn five such common words.
1. BIBLIOMANIA
" Biblio " means books. Therefore an abnormal desire for acquiring and owning books goes
by the name " bibliomania". A person who has this abnormality is called " bibliomaniac". The
adjective form of this word is " bibliomaniacal " .
I know a person who spends most of his earnings in purchasing books. Once I found an
amazing collection of " Bhagavad Gita " , a holy book in his library. When I asked him if
he had read that book, he replied that he did not have time to read. He had time only to
acquire and satisfy his desire to own them. This person is just a bibliomaniac .
2. KLEPTOMANIA
The Greek root of this word. " kleptes" means theft. Therefore a person who suffers from
a compulsive and irresistible impulse to steal things from others is a " KLEPTOMANIAC"
Such a disorder which is an emotional disturbance is " KLEPTOMANIA". The adjective
form of the word is " KLEPTOMANIAICAL".
Remember that a Kleptomaniac does not steal from economic motive. It is mental /
emotional disturbance only. Sometimes you find even rich people suffering from this
disorder.
I have heard of rich ladies stealing spoons from the venue of marriage . We have heard of
shoplifting cases involving celebrities. Amanda Bynes, an actor and designer was reported
to have stolen a $200 hat from a shop. Winona Ryder, an actor was arrested for stealing
$5500 worth of clothes and accessories from a shop. There are several such cases.
Surely these celebrities did not suffer from poverty . They suffer from KLEPTOMANIA.
3. MEGALOMANIA
MEGALO again a Greek root means big / great / grandeur etc. MEGALOMANIA is a
disorder when one suffers from delusions of his own greatness . What he or she thinks
himself or herself to be is not a fact or in the realm of reality. It is a delusion. Someone
believes that he is Alexander the Great . Another thinks that she is Cleopatra .
These people suffer from MEGALOMANIA . They are MEGALOMANIACS. The adjective
form is MEGALOMANIACAL .
4. MYTHOMANIA
Generally we associate , " MYTHS " with stories hard to believe. Every culture has its
own mythology .if something has no basis in reality or not a fact, we say it is just a myth.
Therefore an excessive or abnormal propensity for lying and exaggerating is called
MYTHOMANIA . Such a person is a MYTHOMANIAC the adjective form is
MYTHOMANIACAL.
My friend would repeatedly tell that his great grandfather fought with a tiger singlehandedly
and killed it. I wonder if it were a case of MYTHOMANIA.
5. DIPSOMANIA
The Greek root , " dipsa" refers to thirst. Therefore " DIPSOMANIA " is an uncontrollable
craving for alcoholic liquors.
In my long years of service in the Customs Department, I have seen many a
DIPSOMANIAIC and that too unfortunately on their deathbed.
The adjective form is " DIPSOMANIACAL ".
Please try to learn other ENGLISH WORDS suffixed with - MANIA.
HAPPY LEARNING
Sayee Jayaraman
06/04/2015
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