marasmus

[ muh-raz-muhs ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. malnutrition occurring in infants and young children, caused by insufficient intake of calories or protein and characterized by thinness, dry skin, poor muscle development, and irritability.

marasmus

/ məˈræzməs /

noun

1. pathol general emaciation and wasting, esp of infants, thought to be associated with severe malnutrition or impaired utilization of nutrients

Derived Forms

• maˈrasmic, adjective

Other Words From

• ma·rasmic adjective
• ma·rasmoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of marasmus¹

1650–60; < New Latin < Greek marasmós a wasting away, akin to maraínein to weaken, waste away

Word History and Origins

Origin of marasmus¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek marasmos, from marainein to waste

Example Sentences

There are no special constitutional symptoms, the fatal cases usually dying of marasmus.

From Project Gutenberg

"Marasmus," a physician had once murmured, wondering that so well dressed a child should appear so ill nourished.

From Project Gutenberg

The proof that the absence of secretin is characteristic of diabetes or of marasmus is not yet available.

From Project Gutenberg

Marantic thrombi are those whose origin is attributable to that enfeebled condition of the body known as marasmus.

From Project Gutenberg

The nation, as it were, sickened in a marasmus of intellectual inbreeding.

From Project Gutenberg