progeria

noun

pro·​ge·​ria prō-ˈjir-ē-ə 

: a rare genetic disorder of childhood marked by slowed physical growth and characteristic signs (such as baldness, wrinkled skin, and atherosclerosis) of rapid aging with death usually occurring around puberty

Examples of progeria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Zokinvy halts the rapid aging associated with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. —WIRED, 4 Sep. 2023

Consider supporting patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria by donating or volunteering with the Progeria Research Foundation. —Laken Brooks, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2022

At age 3, just hours after the birth of the Kushners’ daughter, Aaron was diagnosed with a rare disease, progeria, in which the body ages rapidly. —Sam Roberts, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2023

In a cellular context, a single-letter misspelling in a specific position in a person’s DNA – for example, from a C to a T – can mean the difference between a healthy individual and an individual with progeria, a rare genetic disease that causes children to age rapidly. —David Liu, The Conversation, 19 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek progḗrōs "prematurely old" (from pro- pro- entry 1 + -gērōs, adjective derivative from the stem of gḗras "old age") + -ia entry 1 — more at geriatric entry 2

Note: The term progeria was introduced by the British surgeon Hastings Gilford (1861-1941) in "Progeria: a form of senilism," The Practioner, vol. 73 (August, 1904), pp. 188-217. According to the author, "it was this peculiar mixture of relative bigness and littleness, youth and old age, which suggested the word micromegaly, at first used as a provisional name for the disease. But it is obvious that the most conspicuous feature is that of premature senile decay, and the name progeria, for which I am indebted to Mr. James Rhoades [1841-1923, Anglo-Irish poet and schoolmaster] and Professor Arthur Sidgwick [1840-1920, Oxford classicist], is not only a far better word, but it is a true description of the distinguishing features of the two cases" (p. 210).

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

progeria

noun

pro·​ge·​ria prō-ˈjir-ē-ə 

: a rare genetic disorder of childhood marked by slowed physical growth and characteristic signs (as baldness, wrinkled skin, and atherosclerosis) of rapid aging with death usually occurring during puberty