Main Entry:

schizo·phre·nia

Pronunciation:

\ˌskit-sə-ˈfrē-nē-ə\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin

Date:

1912

1 : a psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment, by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life, and by disintegration of personality expressed as disorder of feeling, thought (as delusions), perception (as hallucinations), and behavior —called also dementia praecox — compare paranoid schizophrenia 2 : contradictory or antagonistic qualities or attitudes <both parties…have exhibited schizophrenia over the desired outcome — Elizabeth Drew>

— schizo·phren·ic \-ˈfre-nik\ adjective or noun

— schizo·phren·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb