phocomelia

or pho·ko·me·li·a

[ foh-koh-mee-lee-uh, -meel-yuh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a usually congenital deformity of the extremities in which the limbs are abnormally short.

phocomelia

/ fəʊˈkɒməlɪ; ˌfəʊkəʊˈmiːlɪə /

noun

1. a congenital deformity resulting from prenatal interference with the development of the fetal limbs, characterized esp by short stubby hands or feet attached close to the body

Derived Forms

• ˌphocoˈmelic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phocomelia¹

1890–95; < New Latin, equivalent to phōco-, combining form representing Greek phṓkē seal + -melia -melia

Word History and Origins

Origin of phocomelia¹

C19: via New Latin from Greek phōkē a seal + melos a limb

Example Sentences

Born with a condition called phocomelia, meaning she has no arms and shortened legs, Alison sparked debate when she posed, naked and pregnant, for a sculpture.

From BBC

The 17-year-old from Jammu district was born with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder, making her the world’s first - and only active - female archer to compete without arms.

From BBC

The Indian was born with a condition called phocomelia and is missing her upper limbs.

From BBC

In medical terms Paul’s birth defects are known as phocomelia syndrome.

From Washington Times

The disorder is called phocomelia, but no one knows how to treat it or prevent it—a troublingly relevant story in the age of Zika.

From The New Yorker