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Examples of poliomyelitis in a Sentence
Word History
borrowed from New Latin (in German context), from Greek poliós "pale gray (as of human hair), grizzled" + -o- -o- + myelós "marrow" (alluding to the gray matter of the ventral horns of the spinal cord, which the disease affects) + New Latin -itis -itis — more at fallow entry 1, myelo-
Note: The word was apparently introduced by the German physician Adolf Kussmaul (1822-1902), in a publication by his assistant, Anton Frey, "Aus der Klinik des Herrn Geh. Rath Prof. Kussmaul in Freiburg i. B. Ein Fall von subacuter Lähmung Erwachsener—wahrscheinlich Poliomyelitis anterior subacuta," Berliner klinische Wochenschrift, 11. Jahrgang, No. 45 (9 November 1874), pp. 566-68. Compare earlier New Latin myelitis myelitis.
1875, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near poliomyelitis
Cite this Entry
“Poliomyelitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poliomyelitis. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
poliomyelitis
nouncalled also infantile paralysis
Medical Definition
poliomyelitis
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on poliomyelitis
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for poliomyelitis
Nglish: Translation of poliomyelitis for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poliomyelitis
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