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asthenia

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as⋅the⋅ni⋅a

[as-thee-nee-uh]
–noun
lack or loss of strength; weakness.

Origin:
1795–1805; < NL < Gk asthéneia weakness, equiv. to asthene-, s. of asthens (a- a- 6 + sthene-, var. s. of sthénos strength) + -ia -ia
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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as·the·ni·a   (ās-thē'nē-ə)   
n.  Loss or lack of bodily strength; weakness; debility.

[New Latin, from Greek astheneia, from asthenēs, weak : a-, without; see a-1 + sthenos, strength; see segh- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: as·the·nia
Pronunciation: as-'thE-nE-&
Function: noun
: lack or loss of strength : DEBILITY
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

asthenia as·the·ni·a (ās-thē'nē-ə)
n.
Loss or lack of bodily strength; weakness; debility.


as·then'ic (-thěn'ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Encyclopedia

asthenia

a condition in which the body lacks or has lost strength either as a whole or in any of its parts. General asthenia occurs in many chronic wasting diseases, such as anemia and cancer, and is probably most marked in diseases of the adrenal gland. Asthenia may be limited to certain organs or systems of organs, as in asthenopia, characterized by ready fatigability of vision, or in myasthenia gravis, in which there is progressive increase in the fatigability of the muscular system. Neurocirculatory asthenia is a clinical syndrome characterized by breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, a shortness of breath or dizziness, and insomnia. The term neurasthenia was formerly used to describe a mental disorder with such symptoms as easy fatigability, lack of motivation, and feelings of inadequacy.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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