How Do You Spell HIRCISMUS?

Pronunciation: [hˈɜːsɪsməs] (IPA)

Hircismus (/'hərkɪzməs/) is a medical term that refers to a condition where a person's sweat has a strong, unpleasant odor, similar to that of a goat. The word hircismus is derived from the Latin word ‘hircus’ meaning goat, and the suffix -ismus indicating a condition or state. The spelling of this word can be tricky due to the silent ‘h’ at the beginning and the ‘sc’ combination which sounds like ‘sk’. Overall, hircismus is an interesting word with a distinct phonetic transcription.

HIRCISMUS Meaning and Definition

1. Hircismus is a term used in the field of medicine and dermatology to describe a distinct odor resembling that of a goat emitted by individuals. This term originates from the Latin word "hircus," meaning "goat," which indicates the nature of the smell associated with this condition.

   This medical condition is also known as "goat-like smell syndrome" or more commonly, "goat smell syndrome." Hircismus is characterized by a persistent, unpleasant odor that is similar to the scent of a goat. This smell is often described as pungent and can frequently be detected by others who are in close proximity to the affected individual.

   The cause of hircismus can vary and may be attributed to various factors. One of the most common causes is excessive sweating, especially in certain areas of the body such as the armpits or groin, which can provide a favorable environment for the growth of specific bacteria that emit the goat-like odor. Additionally, certain metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, or the consumption of certain foods or medications can contribute to the development of this condition.

   Treatment for hircismus typically involves addressing the underlying causes responsible for the goat-like smell. This may include lifestyle modifications such as maintaining good personal hygiene, using antiperspirants or deodorants, or seeking medical advice to identify and manage any underlying medical conditions. In severe cases, medical interventions such as prescription medications or surgical procedures may be necessary to alleviate the symptoms associated with hircismus.

2. Offensive odor of the axillae.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for HIRCISMUS

• gircismus
• bircismus
• nircismus
• jircismus
• uircismus
• yircismus
• hurcismus
• hjrcismus
• hkrcismus
• horcismus
• h9rcismus
• h8rcismus
• hiecismus
• hidcismus
• hifcismus
• hitcismus
• hi5cismus
• hi4cismus
• hirxismus
• hirvismus

Etymology of HIRCISMUS

The word "hircismus" derives from the Latin term "hircus", meaning "goat". It is combined with the suffix "-ismus", denoting a condition or state, resulting in "hircismus" meaning "goat-like behavior" or "goatishness". This term is used in medical contexts to describe an unpleasant goat-like odor, often referring to excessive sweating or the body odor of goats.