Meaning
- (noun) A psychological disorder that causes an uncontrollable obsession with stealing without economic or material need.
About this word
The precise origin is debated, but kleptomania likely emerged in the late 19th century as a term for a specific psychological condition. This noun describes a compulsive urge to steal items, often without any economic motive or need. Individuals with kleptomania may feel a sense of relief or gratification from the act of stealing, which distinguishes it from simple theft motivated by need or desire for material gain.
Kleptomania is frequently encountered in psychological discussions, legal contexts, and literature exploring mental health. Common collocations include 'kleptomania treatment' and 'diagnosing kleptomania.' The term is often used in criminal psychology, where understanding the underlying disorder can be crucial for assessing behavior and formulating rehabilitation strategies.
In word games, kleptomania scores 19 points in Scrabble, making it a valuable choice for players. It consists of 11 letters, including common bigrams like 'kl' and 'an'. Players can also create several sub-words from its letters, such as laminate, ailment, and oatmeal, enhancing its versatility in puzzles.
Etymologically, kleptomania combines the Greek word 'klepto,' meaning 'to steal,' and 'mania,' denoting an obsession or frenzy. This term gained popularity in the late 1800s, particularly in discussions surrounding mental health. There are no commonly accepted misspellings, but its length and complexity can lead to confusion with similar terms like 'kleptocracy,' which refers to a government characterized by corruption and theft. Understanding the context is essential for differentiating between these concepts.
Using Kleptomania in a sentence
- His kleptomania made it difficult for him to resist stealing even small items.
- The novel's protagonist struggled with kleptomania, leading to dramatic consequences in her life.
- In clinical psychology, diagnosing kleptomania requires a thorough evaluation of the patient's behavior and history.
- As the therapist noted, kleptomania isn't simply about stealing; it's a complex psychological disorder.
Origin of Kleptomania
Kleptomania originates from the Greek word 'klepto,' meaning 'to steal,' combined with 'mania,' which refers to an obsession or frenzy. The term began to appear in psychological literature in the late 19th century, coinciding with growing interest in mental health disorders. Its usage reflects the evolving understanding of compulsive behaviors during this period. The precise origin is debated.
Letter breakdown
- Kleptomania contains 11 letters: 5 vowel(s) and 6 consonant(s).
- It uses 10 unique letters.
- Estimated syllable count: 4.
- Scrabble-style letter score: 19.
Words from these letters
- laminate
- ptomaine
- ailment
- animate
- elation
- impanel
- implant
- oatmeal
- optimal
- patinae
- pimento
- toenail
- alpine
- anemia
- animal
- anklet
- atonal
- entail
- impala
- impale
- inmate
- intake
- kaolin
- lament
- limpet
- mantel
- mantle
- menial
- mental
- molten
- motile
- napalm
- opiate
- optima
- palate
- pantie
- patina
- patine
- plaint
- planet
- platen
- pliant
- polite
- tamale
- tampon
- tinkle
- alien
- alike
- aline
- alone
- amino
- ample
- anime
- ankle
- atone
- impel
- inapt
- inept
Connected words
Other 11-letter words
- abandonment
- abbreviated
- abbreviates
- abdications
- aberrations
- abjurations
- abnormality
- abominating
- abomination
- aboriginals
- abortionist
- abracadabra
- abridgement
- abridgments
- abrogations
- absenteeism
- abstentions
- abstracting
Words starting with KLE
See all words starting with KLE →
Words ending with NIA
Reader questions
What does Kleptomania mean?
A psychological disorder that causes an uncontrollable obsession with stealing without economic or material need.
How many letters are in Kleptomania?
Kleptomania has 11 letters.
What are some common phrases associated with kleptomania?
Common phrases include 'kleptomania treatment' and 'diagnosing kleptomania.' These collocations reflect its context in mental health discussions.
Where does the term kleptomania come from?
The term likely originated in the late 19th century, combining Greek roots that relate to stealing and obsession. It became more widely used as awareness of psychological disorders grew.
How can I distinguish kleptomania from regular theft?
Kleptomania is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to steal without economic need, unlike regular theft, which is typically motivated by necessity or desire for gain.
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