xerophagy

noun

xe·​roph·​a·​gy

zə̇ˈräfəjē

variants or less commonly xerophagia

ˌzirəˈfāj(ē)ə

plural xerophagies also xerophagias

: the strictest Christian fast which is observed chiefly in the Eastern churches during Lent or especially Holy Week and in which only bread, salt, water, and vegetables may be eaten and meat, fish, milk, cheese, butter, oil, wine, and all seasonings or spices are excluded

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin xerophagia, from Greek xērophagia eating of dry food, from xērophagein to eat dry food (from xēros dry + phagein to eat) + -ia -y

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