Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

anaemia

[uh-nee-mee-uh]
See more synonyms for anaemia on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. anemia.
Show More
Related formspseu·do·a·nae·mi·a, noun

anemia

or a·nae·mi·a

[uh-nee-mee-uh]
noun
  1. Pathology. a quantitative deficiency of the hemoglobin, often accompanied by a reduced number of red blood cells and causing pallor, weakness, and breathlessness.
  2. a lack of power, vigor, vitality, or colorfulness: His writing suffers from anemia.
Show More

Origin of anemia

1800–10; < New Latin < Greek anaimía want of blood. See an-1, -emia
Related formspseu·do·a·ne·mi·a, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for anaemia

Historical Examples

  • It is quite true, he is taking an after dinner nap, for he is suffering from anaemia.

    Married

    August Strindberg

  • Death may be brought about by anaemia after repeated hemorrhages.

  • Anaemia makes it worse; eye-strain, too, is a provoking factor.

  • Has she shown any tendency to Rheumatism, Anaemia, Tuberculosis, or other illness?

    Mobilizing Woman-Power

    Harriot Stanton Blatch

  • Yes, I have had attacks of vertigo now and then, but my physician says it's only anaemia.

    Creditors; Pariah

    August Strindberg

British Dictionary definitions for anaemia

anaemia

US anemia

noun
  1. a deficiency in the number of red blood cells or in their haemoglobin content, resulting in pallor, shortness of breath, and lack of energy
  2. lack of vitality or vigour
  3. pallid complexion
Show More

Word Origin

C19: from New Latin, from Greek anaimia lack of blood, from an- + haima blood

anemia

noun
  1. the usual US spelling of anaemia
Show More

Word Origin

C19: from New Latin, from Greek anaimia lack of blood
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

Word Origin and History for anaemia

n.

1824, from French medical term (1761), Modern Latin, from Greek anaimia "lack of blood," from anaimos "bloodless," from an- "without" (see an- (1)) + haima "blood" (see -emia).

Show More

anemia

n.

alternative (chiefly U.S.) spelling of anaemia (q.v.). See ae. As a genus of plants, Modern Latin, from Greek aneimon "unclad," from privative prefix an- (see an- (1)) + eima "a dress, garment" (see wear (v.)).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
anaemia in Medicine

anemia

(ə-nē′mē-ə)
n.
  1. A pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, measured in unit volume concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell volume, or red blood cell number.
Show More
Related formsa•ne′mic (-mĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
anaemia in Science

anemia

[ə-nē′mē-ə]
  1. A deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, as in the amount of hemoglobin or the number or volume of red blood cells. Iron deficiency, often caused by inadequate dietary consumption of iron, and blood loss are common causes of anemia. See also aplastic anemia hemolytic anemia and sickle cell anemia.
Show More
Related formsanemic adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
anaemia in Culture

anemia

[(uh-nee-mee-uh)]

A condition in which the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen is decreased because of too few red blood cells in circulation or because of too little hemoglobin.

Show More

Note

Because people suffering from anemia often appear weak and pale, the term is frequently used to describe general apathy or weakness: “The team's performance has been pretty anemic these past few weeks.”
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.