addiction

n. a state of psychological or physical dependence (or both) on the use of alcohol or other drugs. The term is often used as an equivalent term for substance dependence and sometimes applied to behavioral disorders, such as sexual, Internet, and gambling addictions. A chemical substance with significant potential for producing dependence is called an addictive drug. —addictive adj.

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Psychology term of the day

February 23rd 2025

testis

n. (pl. testes) the principal male reproductive organ, a pair of which is normally located in the scrotum. The testes produce sperm in the seminiferous tubules (see spermatogenesis) and male sex hormones (androgens) in interstitial cells. See testicle. See also cryptorchidism; hypermobile testes.