progeria

[proh-jeer-ee-uh]

noun

Pathology.

1. a rare congenital abnormality characterized by premature and rapid aging, the affected individual appearing in childhood as an aged person and having a shortened life span.

progeria

/ prəʊˈdʒɪərɪə /

noun

1. med premature old age, a rare condition occurring in children and characterized by small stature, absent or greying hair, wrinkled skin, and other signs of old age

Word History and Origins

Origin of progeria¹

1900–05; < New Latin < Greek progḗr ( ōs ) prematurely old ( pro- pro- ² + gêr ( as ) old age + -ōs adj. suffix) + New Latin -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of progeria¹

C20: from _pro- ² + Greek gēras old age

Example Sentences

Mekhail notes the discovery is also relevant to premature aging conditions like progeria.

From Science Daily

They also plan to model a disease called progeria, in which cells have a genetic mutation that leads to loss of heterochromatin.

From Science Daily

At age 3, just hours after the birth of the Kushners’ daughter, Aaron was diagnosed with a rare disease, progeria, in which the body ages rapidly.

From New York Times

Seidman says the team is encouraged by a recent success at using DNA base editing to repair heart cells and other kinds in mice with progeria, a disease that causes children to age rapidly.

From Science Magazine

Since then, he has also kept up with his research into progeria, his foundation in Italy and his role as a global spokesman for the Progeria Research Foundation.

From New York Times