lathyrism

[ lath-uh-riz-uhm ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disorder of humans and domestic animals caused by ingestion of the seeds of some legumes of the genus Lathyrus and marked by spastic paralysis and pain.

lathyrism

/ ˈlæθərɪzəm /

noun

1. a neurological disease often resulting in weakness and paralysis of the legs: caused by eating the pealike seeds of the leguminous plant Lathyrus sativus

Word History and Origins

Origin of lathyrism¹

1885–90; < New Latin Lathyr ( us ) genus name (< Greek láthyros a kind of pea) + -ism