cachexia

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease

Etymology

From Late Latin cachexia or French cachexie, from Ancient Greek καχεξία (kakhexía), from κακός (kakós, “bad; injurious”) + ἕξῐς (héxĭs, “act of having; habit or state of body”) (ultimately from ἔχω (ékhō, “to have”)) + -ῐᾰ (-ĭă, suffix added to adjectives to form abstract nouns).

In classic literature

Synonyms

cachexy, wasting

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