mongolism

[ mong-guh-liz-uhm, mon- ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

1. (no longer in technical use; now considered offensive) Down syndrome.

mongolism

/ ˈmɒŋɡəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. pathol a formerly used and now highly offensive name for Down's syndrome

Usage

See See at Down's syndrome

Word History and Origins

Origin of mongolism¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; Mongol + -ism

Example Sentences

For example, before Down’s syndrome was named as such, it was called Mongolism—which was later dropped because it was misleading and offensive.

From Slate

A bestselling author has recalled 20,000 copies of her new book, which used the term "mongolism" to describe Down's syndrome.

From BBC

The term "mongolism" was used until the 1980s.

From BBC

Only three such conditions are known to be viable; one of them, of course, is mongolism.

From Literature

And the only book they could find in the library about her condition used a word no longer tolerated: Mongolism.

From Washington Post