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trachoma
noun
tra·cho·ma
trə-ˈkō-mə
: a chronic contagious bacterial conjunctivitis marked by inflammatory granulations on the conjunctival surfaces, caused by a chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), and commonly resulting in blindness if left untreated
Examples of trachoma in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Merck and Pfizer have made important drug donations to tackle diseases such as onchocerciasis and trachoma.
—Sonia Shah, Foreign Affairs, 9 Nov. 2011
There, she was told about how limited access to clean water and sanitation can lead to trachoma, and some of the work being undertaken to screen and treat those with the condition at a primary eye care clinic.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023
Nicholle was a master researcher of infectious diseases and made many discoveries regarding the pathology and epidemiology of brucellosis, leishmaniasis, measles, rinderpest, scarlet fever, Mediterranean spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, trachoma and tuberculosis.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2012
Vanuatu is the first Pacific Island country free from trachoma.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Nov. 2022
The communal environment of boarding schools spread tuberculosis and trachoma, an eye disease.
—Brenda J. Child, Star Tribune, 29 July 2021
Both are on track to be certified as having eliminated trachoma by the World Health Organisation.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 29 Oct. 2019
This debate is familiar territory to trachoma researchers, including those at the Proctor Foundation, which works to prevent blindness.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 10 May 2018
Azithromycin has been administered prophylactically for two decades to communities in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia en masse to prevent trachoma, a bacterial infection that causes blindness.
—Betsy McKay, WSJ, 25 Apr. 2018
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Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek trachōma, from trachys rough
First Known Use
circa 1693, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near trachoma
Cite this Entry
“Trachoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trachoma. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
trachoma
noun
tra·cho·ma
trə-ˈkō-mə
: a serious contagious eye disease that is marked by swelling of the conjunctiva, is caused by a bacterium, and often results in blindness if left untreated
Medical Definition
trachoma
noun
tra·cho·ma
trə-ˈkō-mə
: a chronic contagious conjunctivitis marked by inflammatory granulations on the conjunctival surfaces, caused by a bacterium of the genus Chlamydia (C. trachomatis), and commonly resulting in blindness if left untreated
More from Merriam-Webster on trachoma
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trachoma
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