chlorosis

American  

[klaw-roh-sis, kloh-] / klɔˈroʊ sɪs, kloʊ- /

noun

1. an abnormally yellow color of plant tissues, resulting from partial failure to develop chlorophyll, caused by a nutrient deficiency or the activities of a pathogen.

2. Also called greensickness.  Pathology. a benign type of iron-deficiency anemia in adolescent girls, marked by a pale yellow-green complexion.

---

chlorosis British  

/ klɔːˈrəʊsɪs, klɔːˈrɒtɪk /

noun

1. Also called: greensickness.  pathol a disorder, formerly common in adolescent girls, characterized by pale greenish-yellow skin, weakness, and palpitation and caused by insufficient iron in the body

2. botany a deficiency of chlorophyll in green plants caused by mineral deficiency, lack of light, disease, etc, the leaves appearing uncharacteristically pale

---

chlorosis Scientific  

/ klə-rō′sĭs /

1. The yellowing or whitening of normally green plant tissue because of loss or decreased production of chlorophyll, often as a result of disease, insufficient light, or inadequate sources of iron and magnesium.

---

Other Word Forms

• chlorotic adjective
• chlorotically adverb

Etymology

Origin of chlorosis

First recorded in 1675–85; chlor- ¹ + -osis

Example Sentences

In 1936, chlorosis was officially demolished as a condition.

From Slate • Dec. 14, 2012

Victims of chlorosis were usually maidens in their middle teens.

From Time Magazine Archive

We inspected it several times a day, vigilant for signs of under- or overwatering, too much or too little sun, spider mites, drafts, chlorosis, general malaise.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

When fourteen years old she had for some months suffered from chlorosis, but had never been troubled by any other serious illness.

From The Sexual Life of the Child by Paul, Eden

Chalybeate waters are powerful tonics, and are employed in dyspepsia, scrofulous affections, cancer, amenorrhœa, chlorosis, and other diseases of debility for which the artificial preparations of iron are used.

From Memoranda on Tours and Touraine Including remarks on the climate with a sketch of the Botany And Geology of the Province also on the Wines and Mineral Waters of France by Holdsworth, J. H.