marasmus
[ muh-raz-muhs ]
nounPathology.
malnutrition occurring in infants and young children, caused by insufficient intake of calories or protein and characterized by thinness, dry skin, poor muscle development, and irritability.
Origin of marasmus
11650–60; <New Latin <Greek marasmós a wasting away, akin to maraínein to weaken, waste away
Other words from marasmus
- ma·ras·mic, adjective
- ma·ras·moid, adjective
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British Dictionary definitions for marasmus
marasmus
/ (məˈræzməs) /
noun
pathol general emaciation and wasting, esp of infants, thought to be associated with severe malnutrition or impaired utilization of nutrients
Origin of marasmus
1C17: from New Latin, from Greek marasmos, from marainein to waste
Derived forms of marasmus
- marasmic, adjective
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
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