I.“in medic. lang.,” an obstinate, malignant disease, Cels. 5, 28, n 2; Plin. 24, 3, 3, § 7.—Plur. cacoëthe = κακοήθη, τά, Plin. 22, 25, 64, § 132; 24, 10, 47, § 78. —Hence,
B. Trop., an incurable passion for writing or scribbling: “insanabile Scribendi cacoëthes,” Juv. 7, 52.