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Distinguish from the word holism
Holism

Holism is the idea that all the properties of a given system cannot be determined or explained by its component parts alone. Instead, the system as a whole determines in an important way how the parts behave....
, which describes properties of systems.
In contemporary modern English "-holic" is a suffix
Suffix

In grammar, a suffix is an affix which is placed after the stem of a word. Common examples are case endings, which indicate the grammatical case of nouns or adjectives, and verb endings, which form the grammatical conjugation of verbs....
 that can be added to a subject to denote an addiction
Addiction

The term "addiction" is used in many contexts to describe an obsession, compulsion, or excessive physical dependence or psychological dependence, such as: drug addiction, video game addiction, crime, alcoholism, compulsive overeating, problem gambling, computer addiction, pornography addiction, etc....
 to it. The term is derived from alcoholism
Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions to describe the detrimental effects of alcohol intake.In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite health problems and negative social consequences....
, one of the first addictions to be widely identified both medically and socially.

It should be noted that the word alcoholism is broken up into the root, "alcohol", and the suffix "-ism", not "alco" and "-holism".






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Encyclopedia


Distinguish from the word holism
Holism

Holism is the idea that all the properties of a given system cannot be determined or explained by its component parts alone. Instead, the system as a whole determines in an important way how the parts behave....
, which describes properties of systems.
In contemporary modern English "-holic" is a suffix
Suffix

In grammar, a suffix is an affix which is placed after the stem of a word. Common examples are case endings, which indicate the grammatical case of nouns or adjectives, and verb endings, which form the grammatical conjugation of verbs....
 that can be added to a subject to denote an addiction
Addiction

The term "addiction" is used in many contexts to describe an obsession, compulsion, or excessive physical dependence or psychological dependence, such as: drug addiction, video game addiction, crime, alcoholism, compulsive overeating, problem gambling, computer addiction, pornography addiction, etc....
 to it. The term is derived from alcoholism
Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions to describe the detrimental effects of alcohol intake.In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite health problems and negative social consequences....
, one of the first addictions to be widely identified both medically and socially.

It should be noted that the word alcoholism is broken up into the root, "alcohol", and the suffix "-ism", not "alco" and "-holism". The suffix "-holism" is truly a new invention, having taken the syllable hol directly from the root word. The morphemic breakdown of the word "alcohol" is actually from Arabic al, meaning "the" and kuhul meaning "paint". In fact, there are correct medico-legal terms for addictions which are colloquially called "workaholism". Dipsomania
Dipsomania

Dipsomania is a term which describes an uncontrollable craving for alcohol. The etymology breaks down as "compulsive thirst," but the term when used in practice is reserved primarily related to the uncontrollable consumption of alcohol....
 is the correct medico-legal term for alcoholism
Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions to describe the detrimental effects of alcohol intake.In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite health problems and negative social consequences....
, for instance.

into 'heli + copter', from which came 'heliport
Heliport

A heliport is a small airport suitable only for use by helicopters. Heliports typically contain one or more helipads and may have limited facilities such as fuel, lighting, a windsock, or even hangars....
' and 'jetcopter'.)

The term "-holism" is not an accepted medical term, but is a fairly prominent neologism
Neologism

A neologism is a newly coined word that may be in the process of entering common use, but has not yet been accepted into mainstream language . Neologisms are often directly attributable to a specific person, publication, period, or event....
. As such, despite its widespread usage, it lacks a formal definition. The term can be used in many ways ranging from describing a physical or psychological dependency to something (ex. sexaholism ), to a tendency to do something obsessively
Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental disorder most commonly characterized by Intrusive thoughts, repetitive thoughts resulting in compulsive behaviors and mental acts that the person feels driven to perform, according to rules that must be applied rigidly, aimed at reducing anxiety by preventing some dreaded event or by resolving a more...
 (ex. workaholism , shopaholism ). "-Holism" can also be used by someone to express a strong passion for or interest in something. For example, professional wrestler Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho

Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an American-born Canadian television and Theater actor, author, Radio programming, presenter, rock musician, and Professional wrestling....
 would refer to his fans as Jerichoholics .

Colloquial term addiction medico-legal term
danceaholic dance
Dance

Dance is an art form that generally refers to Motion of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of Emotional expression, social social interaction or presented in a spirituality or performance setting....
 addiction
choreomania
workaholic
Workaholic

A workaholic, colloquially, is a person who is Addiction to work .The phrase does not always imply that the person actually enjoys their work, but rather simply feels compelled to do it....
work addiction ergomania
sexaholic sex addiction erotomania
Erotomania

Erotomania is a rare mental illness whereby the subject holds a delusional belief that another person, usually of a higher social status, is in love with him or her....
, satyromania, nymphomania
sugarholic sugar addiction
Sugar addiction

Sugar addiction is a term for the situation where individuals crave sugar-laden confectionery and find it extremely difficult if not impossible to control their intake....
saccharomania
chocoholic chocolate
Chocolate

Chocolate comprises a number of raw and processed foods that are produced from the seed of the tropical cacao tree.Chocolate has become one of the most popular flavors in the world....