[uh-nee-mee-uh] 
| 1. | Pathology. a quantitative deficiency of the hemoglobin, often accompanied by a reduced number of red blood cells and causing pallor, weakness, and breathlessness. |
| 2. | a lack of power, vigor, vitality, or colorfulness: His writing suffers from anemia. |
| a·nae·mi·a (ə-nē'mē-ə) n. Variant of anemia. |
| a·ne·mi·a also a·nae·mi·a (ə-nē'mē-ə) n. A pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, measured in unit volume concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell volume, or red blood cell number. [New Latin, from Greek anaimiā : an-, without; see a-1 + haima, blood.] |
A condition in which the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen is decreased because of too few red blood cells in circulation or because of too little hemoglobin.
Note: Because people suffering from anemia often appear weak and pale, the term is frequently used to describe general apathy or weakness: “The team's performance has been pretty anemic these past few weeks.”
anemia a·ne·mi·a (ə-nē'mē-ə)
n.
A pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, measured in unit volume concentrations of hemoglobin, red blood cell volume, or red blood cell number.
| anemia (ə-nē'mē-ə) Pronunciation Key
A deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, as in the amount of hemoglobin or the number or volume of red blood cells. Iron deficiency, often caused by inadequate dietary consumption of iron, and blood loss are common causes of anemia. See also aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia.and sickle cell anemia. anemic adjective |
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