HYPOCHONDRIA

[hy.po.chon.dria] n [NL, fr. LL, pl., upper abdomen (formerly regarded as the seat of hypochondria), fr. Gk, lit., the parts under the cartilage (of the breastbone), fr. hypo- + chondros cartilage] (1668): extreme depression of mind or spirits often centered on imaginary physical ailments; specif: hypochondriasis