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phocomelia
or pho·ko·me·li·a
[ foh-koh-mee-lee-uh, -meel-yuh ]
/ ˌfoʊ koʊˈmi li ə, -ˈmil yə /
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noun Pathology.
a usually congenital deformity of the extremities in which the limbs are abnormally short.
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Sometimes pho·com·e·ly [foh-kom-uh-lee] /foʊˈkɒm ə li/ .
Origin of phocomelia
1890–95; <New Latin, equivalent to phōco-, combining form representing Greek phṓkē seal + -melia-melia
Words nearby phocomelia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use phocomelia in a sentence
This condition, from its resemblance to the like state in the seal, is called phocomelia, or seal limbs.
Degeneracy|Eugene S. TalbotPhocomelia with brain deformity has been found associated with them.
Degeneracy|Eugene S. Talbot
British Dictionary definitions for phocomelia
phocomelia
phocomely (fəʊˈkɒməlɪ)
/ (ˌfəʊkəʊˈmiːlɪə) /
noun
a congenital deformity resulting from prenatal interference with the development of the fetal limbs, characterized esp by short stubby hands or feet attached close to the body
Derived forms of phocomelia
phocomelic, adjectiveWord Origin for phocomelia
C19: via New Latin from Greek phōkē a seal + melos a limb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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