Definition

A strong desire to eat non-food items, like dirt or paint, or a specific size used in printing and typesetting.

Example

The artist had a pica for clay, often using it in her sculptures.

Conversation

I heard someone talking about pica the other day, and I was curious about it.

Oh, really? I think it's related to having cravings for weird things, like dirt or chalk.

That sounds strange! I can't imagine wanting to eat something like that.

I know, right? It's definitely an unusual condition.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Pica** → The word originates from Latin *pica*, meaning a magpie, which is a type of bird known for its black and white plumage and its tendency to collect shiny objects. The term has also been used in medical contexts to refer to a craving for non-food substances, drawing a parallel to the bird's habit of picking up various items.

Memory Tip

Think of the magpie, a bird that collects shiny things, to remember that 'pica' refers to a craving for unusual items, much like how the bird picks up various objects.

Visually Confused Words