Munchausen syndrome
noun
Mun·chau·sen syndrome ˈmən-ˌchau̇-zən- 
ˌmən-ˈchau̇-
variants or Munchausen's syndrome
ˈmən-ˌchau̇-zənz-
ˌmən-ˈchau̇-
: a psychological disorder characterized by the intentional feigning, exaggeration, or induction of the symptoms of a disease or injury in order to undergo diagnostic tests, hospitalization, or medical or surgical treatment : factitious disorder imposed on self compare munchausen syndrome by proxy
Word History
Etymology
Baron K. F. H. von Münchhausen †1797 German soldier and proverbial teller of exaggerated tales
First Known Use
1951, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
Munchausen syndrome
noun
Mun·chau·sen syndrome ˈmən-ˌchau̇-zən-
variants or Munchausen's syndrome
-zənz-
: a psychological disorder characterized by the intentional feigning, exaggeration, or induction of the symptoms of a disease or injury in order to undergo diagnostic tests, hospitalization, or medical or surgical treatment : factitious disorder imposed on self compare munchausen syndrome by proxy