cacoethes

A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.

căcŏēthĕs, is, n., = κακόηθες, τό (bad state or habit);

I in medic. lang., an obstinate , malignant disease , Cels. 5, 28, n 2; Plin. 24, 3, 3, § 7.— Plur. cacoëthe = κακοήθη, τά, Plin. 22, 25, 64, § 132; 24, 10, 47, § 78. —Hence,

B Trop., an incurable passion for writing or scribbling : insanabile Scribendi cacoëthes, Juv. 7, 52.