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polycythaemia

British  
/ ˌpɒlɪsaɪˈθiːmɪə /

noun

  1. an abnormal condition of the blood characterized by an increase in the number of red blood cells. It can occur as a primary disease of unknown cause ( polycythaemia vera or erythraemia ) or in association with respiratory or circulatory diseases

"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

Etymology

Origin of polycythaemia

C19: from poly- + cyto- + -haemia

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The disease can occur in people with no history of bone marrow problems - in which case it is called primary myelofibrosis - and also in people who have essential thrombocythaemia or polycythaemia vera.

From Reuters

He underwent brain surgery and developed the chronic blood disorder polycythaemia, which he believed resulted from the incident.

From The Guardian