polycythemia

noun

poly·​cy·​the·​mia ˌpä-lē-(ˌ)sī-ˈthē-mē-ə 

: 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 

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

Phrases Containing polycythemia

• polycythemia vera

Medical Definition

polycythemia

noun

poly·​cy·​the·​mia

variants or chiefly British polycythaemia

-(ˌ)sī-ˈthē-mē-ə 

: a condition marked by an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells

especially : polycythemia vera compare erythrocytosis