radiation sickness

noun

Pathology.

1. sickness caused by irradiation with x-rays or other nuclear radiation as a result of therapeutic treatment, accidental exposure, or a nuclear bomb explosion and characterized by nausea, vomiting, headache, cramps, diarrhea, loss of hair and teeth, destruction of white blood cells, and prolonged hemorrhage.

radiation sickness

noun

1. pathol illness caused by overexposure of the body or a part of the body to ionizing radiations from radioactive material or X-rays. It is characterized by vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases by sterility and cancer

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiation sickness¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The bombs killed more than 200,000 people - some from the immediate blast and others from radiation sickness and burns.

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Tens of thousands more would die in the coming months from radiation sickness, burns and dehydration.

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“People who are exposed to these ... are in big trouble and are liable to radiation sickness, liable to cancer down the road if they survive post-exposure.”

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“It’s a big relief to know that no one was hurt by radiation sickness in the process of recovering it,” Barger said.

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Officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works are offering $1,000 for the return of a gauge that, if damaged, can cause radiation sickness.

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