atelectasis

[ at-l-ek-tuh-sis ]

/ ˌæt lˈɛk tə sɪs /

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noun Pathology.

incomplete expansion of the lungs at birth, as from lack of breathing force.

collapse of the lungs, as from bronchial obstruction.

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Origin of atelectasis

1855–60; <New Latin; ateliosis + Greek éktasis a stretching out, equivalent to ek- ec- + ta-, variant stem of teínein to stretch + -sis -sis

OTHER WORDS FROM atelectasis

at·e·lec·tat·ic

[at-l-ek-tat-ik], /ˌæt l ɛkˈtæt ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for atelectasis

atelectasis

/ (ˌætəˈlɛktəsɪs) /

noun

failure of the lungs to expand fully at birth

collapse of the lung or a part of the lung, usually caused by bronchial obstruction

Word Origin for atelectasis

C19: New Latin, from Greek atelēs imperfect + ektasis extension

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