ophthalmia

[ of-thal-mee-uh, op- ]

/ ɒfˈθæl mi ə, ɒp- /

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noun

inflammation of the eye, especially of its membranes or external structures.

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Origin of ophthalmia

1350–1400; <Late Latin <Greek ophthalmía, equivalent to ophthalm(ós) eye + -ia-ia; replacing Middle English obtalmia<Medieval Latin, Late Latin as above

OTHER WORDS FROM ophthalmia

oph·thal·mi·ac

[of-thal-mee-ak, op-], /ɒfˈθæl miˌæk, ɒp-/, noun

Words nearby ophthalmia

ophitic, Ophiuchus, ophiuroid, ophthal., ophthalm-, ophthalmia, ophthalmia neonatorum, ophthalmic, ophthalmic optician, ophthalmitis, ophthalmo-

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

How to use ophthalmia in a sentence

The prevalent disease of the time we live in is ophthalmia of intellect, affecting the higher classes.
Newton Forster|Captain Frederick Marryat
To this foul dust is due the terrible amount of ophthalmia and consequent blindness so prevalent throughout the East.
Life and sport in China|Oliver G. Ready
Ophthalmia, of-thal′mi-a, n. inflammation of the eye—also Ophthal′my.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
A very ragged girl, sorely afflicted with ophthalmia, stood among the ashes doing nothing.
Notes on Old Edinburgh|Isabella L. Bird

In Japan the stones are accounted of medicinal value, while in Burma and Assam they are infallible specifics for ophthalmia.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ophthalmia

ophthalmia

/ (ɒfˈθælmɪə) /

noun

inflammation of the eye, often including the conjunctiva

Word Origin for ophthalmia

C16: via Late Latin from Greek, from ophthalmos eye; see optic

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