graphomania (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/ˌɡræf.əˈmeɪ.ni.ə/

Meaning and Usage

Graphomania is a term used to describe an intense and often uncontrollable urge to write. It can refer to the compulsive nature of writing, where a person may write extensively or obsessively without regard to the quality of the content. The term is relatively rare in everyday usage and is more likely to be found in academic, psychological, or literary contexts rather than in daily conversation.

The frequency of usage is low compared to common words, and it leans more towards written contexts, particularly in discussions around mental health or literary tendencies.

Example Sentences: - His graphomania led him to fill entire notebooks with thoughts and ideas.
Его графомания заставила его заполнить целые блокноты мыслями и идеями.

• The author's struggle with graphomania resulted in multiple published works in a short time frame.
  Борьба автора с графоманией привела к множеству опубликованных произведений за короткий промежуток времени.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "graphomania" itself is not commonly found in idiomatic expressions, the concept of compulsive writing or a strong inclination towards writing can be related to various phrases in literature and psychology. Here are some relevant phrases:

• "To have a pen on fire" – to write fervently and enthusiastically.
  Его ручка горела, пока он писал роман.
  (His pen was on fire as he wrote the novel.)

• "Put pen to paper" – to begin writing something down, often used to indicate the start of a creative project or idea.
  Он наконец решил положить ручку на бумагу и начать писать свою историю.
  (He finally decided to put pen to paper and start writing his story.)

• "Ink in my veins" – a metaphorical expression indicating a love for writing, as if one has ink flowing through their blood.
  Я чувствую, что у меня в венах чернила, так как я могу писать часами.
  (I feel like I have ink in my veins since I can write for hours.)

Etymology

The term "graphomania" is derived from the prefix "grapho-", which comes from the Greek word "grapho" meaning "to write," and the suffix "-mania," which originates from the Greek "mania" meaning "madness" or "frenzy." Thus, graphomania literally translates to a "madness for writing."

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms:
- Compulsive writing - Writing obsession - Scribomania (a specific form of obsessive writing)

Antonyms:
- Writer's block (a condition where a writer is unable to produce new work or experiences a creative slowdown)
- Restraint in writing

This comprehensive breakdown provides a nuanced view of the term "graphomania" and its relevance in the landscape of writing and psychology.