favism

[ fah-viz-uhm ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. acute hemolytic anemia caused by ingestion or inhalation of fava bean pollen.

Word History and Origins

Origin of favism¹

1900–05; < Italian favismo, equivalent to fav ( a ) bean + -ismo -ism

Example Sentences

While many Romans celebrate the fleeting May fava season and the coming of spring with fava-heavy picnics outside the city walls, sufferers of favism live in fear.

From New York Times

As with the genes that cause thalassaemia and favism, inheriting even a single copy of the malformed version of this gene is enough to cause disease.

From Economist

Reviewing the prevalence of favism in the region during his life, Simoons has disputed claims that Pythagoras himself suffered from favism.

From Scientific American

One common inherited disease in Iran was favism, leading Bowman to several discoveries about enzyme deficiencies.

From Reuters

A warning: Fava beans are toxic to individuals with favism, a genetic disorder.

From New York Times