Parkinson's disease

or Parkinson disease


nounPathology.
  1. a common neurologic disease believed to be caused by deterioration of the brain cells that produce dopamine, occurring primarily after the age of 60, characterized by tremors, especially of the fingers and hands, muscle rigidity, shuffling gait, slow speech, and a masklike facial expression.

Origin of Parkinson's disease

1
Named after James Parkinson (1755–1824), English physician who first described it

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease

/ (ˈpɑːkɪnsənz) /


noun
  1. a progressive chronic disorder of the central nervous system characterized by impaired muscular coordination and tremor: Often shortened to: Parkinson's Also called: Parkinsonism, Parkinson's syndrome, paralysis agitans, shaking palsy

Origin of Parkinson's disease

1
C19: named after James Parkinson (1755–1824), British surgeon, who first described it

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

Scientific definitions for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease

[ pärkĭn-sənz ]


  1. A progressive neurologic disease occurring most often after the age of 50, associated with the destruction of brain cells that produce dopamine. Individuals with Parkinson's disease exhibit tremors while at rest, slowing of movement, stiffening of gait and posture, and weakness. The disease is named after its discoverer, British physician and paleontologist James Parkinson (1755-1824).

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease

A chronic disease of the nervous system that usually strikes in late adult life, resulting in a gradual decrease in muscle control. Symptoms of the disease include shaking, weakness, and partial paralysis of the face. Certain drugs can help alleviate some of its symptoms.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.