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noma

[noh-muh]
noun, plural no·mas. Pathology.
  1. a gangrenous ulceration of the mouth or genitalia, occurring mainly in debilitated children.
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Origin of noma

1825–35; < New Latin, Latin nomē a sore, ulcer < Greek nomḗ a feeding, grazing (akin to némein to feed, graze, consume)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for noma

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • At length there came a day when Noma, his wife, was brought to bed.

    The Wizard

    H. Rider Haggard

  • Why do you bide by the fire, seeing that it is so hot, Noma?

    The Wizard

    H. Rider Haggard

  • "Then cause some other to give it and let him bear the blame," suggested Noma languidly.

    The Wizard

    H. Rider Haggard

  • To this Mount, Noma went, and there performed the customary rites.

    The Wizard

    H. Rider Haggard

  • "You do but waste your labour, Hafela," said Noma, who stood by him watching the assault.

    The Wizard

    H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for noma

noma

noun
  1. a gangrenous inflammation of the mouth, esp one affecting malnourished children
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Word Origin

C19: New Latin, from Latin nomē ulcer, from Greek nomē feeding; related to Greek nemein to feed
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
noma in Medicine

noma

(nō′mə)
n.
  1. A severe, often gangrenous inflammation of the lips and cheek or of the female genitals that often occurs following an infectious disease and is found most often in children in poor hygienic or malnourished condition.stomatonecrosis
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.