polycythemia

noun

poly·​cy·​the·​mia ˌpä-lē-(ˌ)sī-ˈthē-mē-ə How to pronounce polycythemia (audio)
: a condition marked by an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells
specifically : polycythemia vera
polycythemic
ˌpä-lē-(ˌ)sī-ˈthē-mik How to pronounce polycythemia (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Polycythaemie, from poly- poly- + cyt- cyt- + -haemie -hemia

First Known Use

circa 1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polycythemia was circa 1857

Phrases Containing polycythemia

Dictionary Entries Near polycythemia

polycythaemia

polycythemia

polycythemia vera

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Polycythemia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polycythemia. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

polycythemia

noun
poly·​cy·​the·​mia
variants or chiefly British polycythaemia
-(ˌ)sī-ˈthē-mē-ə How to pronounce polycythemia (audio)
: a condition marked by an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells
especially : polycythemia vera compare erythrocytosis

More from Merriam-Webster on polycythemia

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polycythemia

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