myxoma

[ mik-soh-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural myx·o·mas, myx·o·ma·ta [mik-, soh, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. a soft tumor composed of connective and mucoid tissue.

myxoma

/ mɪkˈsəʊmə; mɪkˈsɒmətəs /

noun

1. a tumour composed of mucous connective tissue, usually situated in subcutaneous tissue

Derived Forms

• myxomatous, adjective

Other Words From

• myx·om·a·tous [mik-, som, -, uh, -t, uh, s], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of myxoma¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1865–70; myx-, -oma

Example Sentences

Scientists killed hundreds of millions of them by introducing the myxoma virus — the deadliest vertebrate virus — but as Carl Zimmer wrote in June, the rabbits adapted and kicked off an evolutionary arms race.

From New York Times

It looked like a benign tumor, called a myxoma, Minella said.

From New York Times

But the myxoma virus — fatal to millions of Australian rabbits — is a textbook example of a virus that did not get milder over time.

From New York Times

For many virologists, the best example of this unpredictability is a pathogen that has been ravaging rabbits in Australia for the past 72 years: the myxoma virus.

From New York Times

Day said there are documented cases of animal viruses that evolved over time to become more lethal, including myxoma virus in rabbits and Marek’s disease in chicken.

From Seattle Times