polymyalgia rheumatica

[ pol-ee-mahy-al-jee-uh roo-mat-i-kuh, -al-juh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a chronic inflammatory disease, common among older persons, characterized by recurrent episodes of muscle pain and stiffness, sometimes leading to cardiovascular complications or blindness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymyalgia rheumatica¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1955–60; poly-, myalgia, rheumatic