causalgia

American

[kaw-zal-jee-uh, -juh] / kɔˈzæl dʒi ə, -dʒə /

noun

a neuralgia distinguished by a burning pain along certain nerves, usually of the upper extremities.

causalgia British

/ kɔːˈzældʒɪə /

noun

pathol a burning sensation along the course of a peripheral nerve together with local changes in the appearance of the skin

"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

Other Word Forms

causalgic

adjective

Etymology

Origin of causalgia

1870–75; < New Latin, equivalent to Greek kaûs ( is ) a burning + New Latin -algia -algia; see caustic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In "major" causalgia, the patient is completely disabled, screams with pain at a touch or a sudden noise.

From Time Magazine Archive

In "minor" causalgia, the patient, months after a minor cut or infection has healed, may suffer severe pains without visible cause.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023