ataxia

[ uh-tak-see-uh ]

/ əˈtæk si ə /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ataxia ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Pathology.

loss of coordination of the muscles, especially of the extremities.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

atatürk, atatürk, kemal, atavic, atavism, atavistic, ataxia, ataxia telangiectasia, ataxiaphasia, ataxic, ataxic abasia, ataxic aphasia

Also a·tax·y

[uh-tak-see, a-tak-] /əˈtæk si, æˈtæk-/.

Compare tabes dorsalis.

Origin of ataxia

1605–15; < New Latin < Greek: indiscipline, equivalent to a- a-⁶ + táx(is) -taxis + -ia -ia

Related formsa·tax·ic, adjectivepre·a·tax·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ataxia

His name was Sabathier, and for fifteen years he had been stricken with ataxia.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete|Emile Zola
It seemed he was suffering from a form of ataxia, rapid in its progress and very painful.
Doctor Pascal|Emile Zola
He had no ataxia or loss of sensibility in the upper half of the body.
Fat and Blood|S. Weir Mitchell
Consequently it would be indicated under all circumstances where a nervous affection seemed to depend upon a state of ataxia.
Coca and its Therapeutic Application, Third Edition|Angelo Mariani

Dec. 13th, two very offensive liquid stools; ataxia greater; skin yellow and countenance dull and listless.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ataxia

ataxia

ataxy (əˈtæksɪ)

/ (əˈtæksɪə) /

noun

pathol lack of muscular coordination

Derived Formsataxic or atactic, adjective

Word Origin for ataxia

C17: via New Latin from Greek: lack of coordination, from a- 1 + -taxia, from tassein to put in order

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 ataxia

ataxia

also anglicized as ataxy, "irregularity of bodily functions," 1610s, "confusion, disorder," medical Latin, from Greek ataxia, from a-, privative prefix, + taxis "arrangement, order," from stem of tassein "to arrange" (see tactics). Pathological sense is attested from 1660s.

Medicine definitions for ataxia

ataxia

[ ə-tăk′sē-ə ]

n.

Loss of the ability to coordinate muscular movement.dyssynergia incoordination

Science definitions for ataxia

ataxia

[ ə-tăk′sē-ə ]

Loss of muscular coordination as a result of damage to the central nervous system.