Pickwickian syndrome

or Pickwick syndrome

noun Pathology.

an abnormality characterized by extreme obesity accompanied by sleepiness, hypoventilation, and polycythemia.

Origin of Pickwickian syndrome

First recorded in 1955–60; named for Joe, a character in Dickens' The Pickwick Papers who exhibited symptoms of the disorder

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

pickwickian syndrome in Medicine

pickwickian syndrome

[pĭk-wĭk′ē-ən]

n.

A syndrome characterized by extreme obesity, hypoventilation, and general debility.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.