Definition

1. Noun:
   • A genus of birds in the family Icteridae: "Icterus" is the type genus for the Icteridae family, which includes birds like orioles and blackbirds.
   • A medical condition: "Icterus" refers to the yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes due to an excess of bilirubin in the blood; it is a symptom of various underlying conditions.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Medical):
  • The patient presented with severe icterus, prompting tests for liver function.
  • Neonatal icterus is common in newborns and often resolves without treatment.
• Noun (Zoological):
  • The oriole belongs to the genus Icterus.
  • Icterus galbula is the scientific name for the Baltimore oriole.

Advanced Usage

• "Icterus gravis": a severe form of jaundice.
  • The diagnosis was icterus gravis, requiring immediate intervention.
• "Hemolytic icterus": jaundice caused by the excessive breakdown of red blood cells.
  • Hemolytic icterus can be a complication of certain blood disorders.

Variants and Related Words

• Icteric (adj): relating to or affected with jaundice.
  • The doctor noted the icteric hue of the patient's skin.
• Jaundice (n): the more common synonym for the medical condition "icterus".
  • Jaundice is often the first noticeable sign of liver problems.

Synonyms

• Jaundice: The most common synonym for the medical condition.
• Hyperbilirubinemia: A more technical term for an elevated level of bilirubin in the blood, which causes icterus.

Related Phrases

• "To be icteric": to show signs of jaundice.
  • The newborn was slightly icteric but otherwise healthy.
• "Icterus index": a historical measurement of the level of bilirubin in the blood.
  • The icterus index was used before modern bilirubin tests.

Noun

1. type genus of the Icteridae
2. yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment (bilirubin) in the blood; can be a symptom of gallstones or liver infection or anemia