*cacoethe*

‖n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; of ill habits, &unr_;&unr_; &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; an ill habit; kako`s bad + &unr_; habit ] 1. A bad custom or habit; an insatiable desire; as, cacoëthes scribendi, “The itch for writing”. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Med.) A bad quality or disposition in a disease; an incurable ulcer. [ 1913 Webster ]