poliomyelitis
an acute viral disease, usually affecting children and young adults, caused by any of three polioviruses, characterized by inflammation of the motor neurons of the brain stem and spinal cord, and resulting in a motor paralysis, followed by muscular atrophy and often permanent deformities.
Origin of poliomyelitis
1- Also called acute anterior poliomyelitis, infantile paralysis, polio.
Other words from poliomyelitis
- po·li·o·my·e·lit·ic [poh-lee-oh-mahy-uh-lit-ik], /ˌpoʊ li oʊˌmaɪ əˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective
Words Nearby poliomyelitis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use poliomyelitis in a sentence
poliomyelitis almost did him in, but decided instead to simply paralyze his left arm and leg.
The child in the next bed had just become paralyzed by an attack of poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis).
The Necessity of Atheism | Dr. D.M. BrooksNot once were these investigators again able to transmit the infection of poliomyelitis through Stomoxys.
Handbook of Medical Entomology | William Albert RileySoon after this, Kling and Levaditi published their detailed studies on acute anterior poliomyelitis.
Handbook of Medical Entomology | William Albert RileyIn spite of these precautions, all their results were negative, none of the inoculated animals having contracted poliomyelitis.
Handbook of Medical Entomology | William Albert Riley
Attempts to transmit poliomyelitis by means of the stable-fly (Stomoxys calcitrans).
Handbook of Medical Entomology | William Albert Riley
British Dictionary definitions for poliomyelitis
/ (ˌpəʊlɪəʊˌmaɪəˈlaɪtɪs) /
an acute infectious viral disease, esp affecting children. In its paralytic form (acute anterior poliomyelitis) the brain and spinal cord are involved, causing weakness, paralysis, and wasting of muscle: Often shortened to: polio Also called: infantile paralysis
Origin of poliomyelitis
1Collins 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 poliomyelitis
[ pō′lē-ō-mī′ə-lī′tĭs ]
A highly communicable infectious disease caused by the poliovirus of the genus Enterovirus that causes inflammation of motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to paralysis, muscular atrophy, and often disability and deformity. Childhood vaccinations are given to prevent infection. Also called polio
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for poliomyelitis
[ (poh-lee-oh-meye-uh-leye-tis) ]
An acute disease, and an infectious disease, caused by a virus, that brings about inflammation of certain nerve cells in the spinal cord. It can have a wide range of effects, from mild to severe, including paralysis, permanent disability, and death. In the United States, the disease has now largely vanished since the development of a vaccine against it. (See Sabin vaccine and Salk vaccine.)
Notes for poliomyelitis
Notes for poliomyelitis
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.
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