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: an acute inflammatory disease that is caused by spirochetes (genus Borrelia, especially B. burgdorferi) transmitted by ticks (genus Ixodes and especially I. scapularis), that is usually characterized initially by a spreading red annular erythematous skin lesion and by fatigue, fever, and chills, and that if left untreated may later manifest itself in joint pain, arthritis, and cardiac and neurological disorders
Examples of Lyme disease in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For instance, autoimmune diseases and infections like Lyme disease can cause neuropathy, while high blood pressure or clogged arteries can impair circulation.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024
Only two life forms — lactobacilli, found in yogurt, and Borrelia burgdorferi, which is responsible for Lyme disease — are currently not dependent on iron.
—Hannah Peart, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024
Within that group, 41% also had Lyme disease, almost 4% had ehrlichiosis, and a tiny portion, 0.3%, had anaplasmosis.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 18 Oct. 2024
Of those, 41% also had Lyme disease; 3.7% had ehrlichiosis; and 0.3% had anaplasmosis.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first reported
First Known Use
1979, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Lyme disease
Cite this Entry
“Lyme disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lyme%20disease. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
Lyme disease
noun
: a serious disease that is caused by a bacterium transmitted by some ticks, that is often characterized at first by a spreading red patch on the skin, and that may result in joint pain and disorders of the heart and nervous system if left untreated
Etymology
from Lyme, Connecticut, where the disease was first reported
Medical Definition
Lyme disease
noun
: an acute inflammatory disease that is usually characterized initially by the skin lesion erythema migrans and by fatigue, fever, and chills and if left untreated may later manifest itself in cardiac and neurological disorders, joint pain, and arthritis and that is caused by a spirochete of the genus Borrelia (B. burgdorferi) transmitted by the bite of a tick especially of the genus Ixodes (I. scapularis synonym I. dammini in the eastern and midwestern United States, I. pacificus especially in some parts of the Pacific coastal states of the United States, and I. ricinus in Europe)
called also Lyme, Lyme borreliosis
More from Merriam-Webster on Lyme disease
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Lyme disease
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