celiac disease

[ see-lee-ak di-zeez ]

nounPathology.
  1. a hereditary digestive disorder in which eating gluten causes an autoimmune response within the small intestine, damaging the organ and leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, fatty stools, and malnutrition.

Origin of celiac disease

1
First recorded in 1935–40
  • Also called ce·li·ac-sprue [see-lee-ak-sproo]. /ˈsi li ækˌspru/.
  • Also especially British, coe·li·ac dis·ease .

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

Scientific definitions for celiac disease

celiac disease

[ lē-ăk′ ]


  1. A gastrointestinal disease characterized by an inability to absorb the protein gluten, resulting in diarrhea, the passage of stools having a high fat content, and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Individuals with celiac disease must avoid ingesting products made from grains containing gluten, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats.

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