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achalasia

[ak-uh-ley-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh]
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noun Medicine/Medical.
  1. inability of a circular muscle, especially of the esophagus or rectum, to relax, resulting in widening of the structure above the muscular constriction.
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Origin of achalasia

1910–15; a-6 + Greek chálas(is) (chala- (stem of chalân to loosen) + -sis -sis) + -ia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for achalasia

achalasia

noun
  1. pathol failure of the cardiac sphincter of the oesophagus to relax, resulting in difficulty in swallowing
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Word Origin

New Latin, from a- 1 + Greek chalasis relaxation
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
achalasia in Medicine

achalasia

(ăk′ə-lā′zhə)
n.
  1. The failure of a ring of muscle fibers, such as a sphincter, to relax.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.