First Known Use: 1563
Dictionary
1pica
noun pi·ca \ˈpī-kə\
Definition of PICA
: an abnormal desire to eat substances (as chalk or ashes) not normally eaten
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Origin of PICA
New Latin, from Latin, magpie — more at pie
2pica
noun
Definition of PICA
1
: 12-point type
2
: a unit of about 1⁄6 inch used in measuring typographic material
3
: a typewriter type providing 10 characters to the linear inch and six lines to the vertical inch
Origin of PICA
probably from Medieval Latin, collection of church rules
First Known Use: 1588
Medical Dictionary
pica
noun pi·ca \ˈpī-kə\
Medical Definition of PICA
: an abnormal craving for and eating of substances (as chalk, ashes, or bones) not normally eaten that occurs in nutritional deficiency states (as aphosphorosis) in humans or animals or in some forms of mental illness—compare geophagy
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