anemia

or a·nae·mi·a

[ uh-nee-mee-uh ]

noun

1. Pathology. a quantitative deficiency of the hemoglobin, often accompanied by a reduced number of red blood cells and causing pallor, weakness, and breathlessness.
2. a lack of power, vigor, vitality, or colorfulness:

   His writing suffers from anemia.

anemia

/ əˈniːmɪə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of anaemia

anemia

/ ə-nē′mē-ə /

1. A deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, as in the amount of hemoglobin or the number or volume of red blood cells. Iron deficiency, often caused by inadequate dietary consumption of iron, and blood loss are common causes of anemia.
2. See also aplastic anemia

anemia

1. A condition in which the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen is decreased because of too few red blood cells in circulation or because of too little hemoglobin .

Notes

Because people suffering from anemia often appear weak and pale, the term is frequently used to describe general apathy or weakness: “The team's performance has been pretty anemic these past few weeks.”

Other Words From

• pseudo·a·nemi·a noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of anemia¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from New Latin, from Greek anaimía “bloodlessness, lack of blood”; an- ¹, -emia

Word History and Origins

Origin of anemia¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek anaimia lack of blood

Example Sentences

In 2017, Guimaraes was forced to take 20 months of medical leave after he developed aplastic anemia after being exposed to toxic smoke and benzene on the job, according to the lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 1960s in North Carolina, Adams and her family would take her sister Linda, who had sickle cell anemia, to the emergency room because they had no doctor and could not afford health insurance.

From Salon

Five more horses have died at a barn at Los Alamitos, bringing the total to 12 deaths as a result of an outbreak of equine infectious anemia.

From Los Angeles Times

An American teenager received a gene-editing treatment for his sickle cell anemia.

From Salon

A new study, co-authored by a global health economics expert from the University of Notre Dame, evaluates the relationship between anemia and school attendance in India, debunking earlier research that could have misguided policy interventions.

From Science Daily