different between hypochondriac vs worrywart

English

Alternative forms

• hypochondriack (obsolete)

Etymology

From French hypocondriaque, from Ancient Greek ????????????? (hupokhondriakós, “of the region between the ribs and navel”), from ??????????? (hupokhóndrios, “the space between the ribs and the navel”), from ??? (hupó, “below”) + ??????? (khóndros, “cartilage”)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?ha?p???k?nd?iæk/, /?ha?p??k?nd?iæk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?ha?po??k??nd?iæk/, /?ha?p??k??nd?iæk/

Adjective

hypochondriac (comparative more hypochondriac, superlative most hypochondriac)

1. Related to, or affected by hypochondria
2. Related to, or located in the hypochondrium.

Translations

Noun

hypochondriac (plural hypochondriacs)

1. A person affected with hypochondria.

Synonyms

• valetudinarian

Translations

English

Etymology

Attested 1956, I. BELKNAP Human Problems of State Mental Hospitals x. 177 In cartoon Out Our Way by J. R. Williams, there is a character by that name. Earlier examples from newspapers of the 1930s and 1940s.

Presumably related to earlier worryguts.

From worry +? "wart" apparently chosen for alliteration.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?w??.??w??t/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?w??.i?w??t/, IPA^(key): /?w?.i?w??t/
• Rhymes: -??(r)t

Noun

worrywart (plural worrywarts)

1. A person who worries excessively, especially about unimportant matters.
   • 2005, Hal Edward Runkel, Screamfree Parenting: Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool, page 31:

     It doesn't mean you're a worrywart, a nervous wreck or in need of heavy medication.

   • 2008, Nicole L.V. Mullis, "Vacation renders kids, adult males impervious to danger", Battle Creek Enquirer online, August 17:

     On vacation, I'm a worrywart for fretting about third-degree burns and puncture wounds.

Synonyms

• bundle of nerves, worrier; see also Thesaurus:worrier

Translations

See also

• pessimist
• OCD
• hypochondriac

References