anaemia
/ə'ni:mjə/
Definition
- Noun:
- A medical condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood: This reduces the blood's capacity to carry oxygen to the body's tissues.
- A lack of vitality, vigor, or energy: Used figuratively to describe a state of weakness or lifelessness in a non-medical context.
Usage and Examples
- Medical Context:
- The blood test confirmed she had anaemia.
- Iron deficiency is a common cause of anaemia.
- Figurative Context:
- The anaemia of the local economy was evident in the empty shops.
- There's a certain anaemia in his writing style that makes it hard to stay engaged.
Advanced Usage
- "to suffer from anaemia": to have the medical condition of anaemia.
- Many pregnant women suffer from anaemia and require supplements.
- Used to describe a pervasive weakness or lack of substance in systems, arguments, or creative works.
- The anaemia of their policy proposals was criticized by experts.
Variants and Related Words
- Anaemic (adjective):
- Relating to or suffering from anaemia.
- She looked pale and anaemic.
- Lacking in spirit, vigor, or interest; weak.
- The team gave an anaemic performance in the first half.
- Pernicious anaemia (noun phrase): A specific type of anaemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
Synonyms
- Medical: Blood deficiency.
- Figurative: Feebleness, weakness, pallor, lifelessness.
Notes on Spelling and Usage
- The primary spelling is anaemia (common in British English and other Commonwealth variants).
- The American English spelling is anemia. Both spellings refer to the same condition.
- The word is typically used as a non-count noun (e.g., "She has anaemia").
Noun
-
a deficiency of red blood cells
-
a lack of vitality
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