alopecia

American  

[al-uh-pee-shee-uh, -see-uh] / ˌæl əˈpi ʃi ə, -si ə /

noun

Pathology.

alopecias plural

1. loss of hair; baldness.

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alopecia British  

/ ˌæləˈpiːʃɪə /

noun

1. loss of hair, esp on the head; baldness

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alopecia Scientific  

/ ăl′ə-pē′shə /

1. Loss of hair; baldness.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• alopecic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• alopecias
  plural

Etymology

Origin of alopecia

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek alōpekía “mange in foxes,” equivalent to alōpek- (stem of alṓpēx ) “fox” + -ia -ia

Explanation

Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss and baldness. Some types of alopecia are caused by an immune system disorder. While most men experience alopecia, or balding, at some point in their lives, it's less common in women. The term alopecia applies to all types of hair loss, including balding caused by trauma, like tight ponytails, and fungal infections. Extreme forms of alopecia can result in loss of body hair as well. The Greek root of the word is alōpekia, literally "fox mange," from alōpēx, "fox."