1 alopecia | Definition of alopecia

alopecia

noun
al·​o·​pe·​cia | \ ˌa-lə-ˈpē-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce alopecia (audio) \

Definition of alopecia

: loss of hair, wool, or feathers

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Other Words from alopecia

alopecic \ -​ˈpē-​sik How to pronounce alopecic (audio) \ adjective

What is the origin of alopecia?

Doctors use "alopecia" to refer to various forms of hair loss, including "alopecia areata," a sudden loss of hair in patches that involves little or no inflammation. It may surprise you to learn that the word ultimately derives from "alōpēx," the Greek word for "fox," but the connection makes sense if you think of a fox who is afflicted with mange, a disease with symptoms that include, among other things, loss of hair. Middle English speakers borrowed the Latin word alopecia, which comes from "alōpekia," a Greek term that can be translated as "mange on foxes."

Examples of alopecia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But traction alopecia can be treated in its earlier stages with lifestyle modifications (changing or limiting tighter hairstyles, primarily) as well as topical, oral, or injected treatments. Tatiana Walk-morris, SELF, "5 Things People of Color Should Know About Taking Care of Their Skin," 12 July 2019 Kathy Jacobs, 55, stunned on the runway, while Christie Valdiserri, who lives with alopecia, was featured walking in a blonde wig before taking it off to reveal her shaved head. Maeve Mcdermott, USA TODAY, "Sports Illustrated hosts groundbreaking Miami Swim Week show as models in burkinis walk," 15 July 2019 But Mufasa’s evil brother Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a mangy beast with a bumpy spine and little more than an alopecia fringe for a mane, has a Shakespearean plan for grabbing the kingdom of Pride Rock for himself. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "Review: Disney's New The Lion King Is Beautiful But Soulless," 11 July 2019 This eyesore of a trim looks like a peacock that has contracted alopecia. SI.com, "50 Most Unforgettable Haircuts in World Football," 10 July 2019 There are three types of alopecia that trichologist and expert colorist Evie Johnson typically sees with Black women that result in hair loss. Shalwah Evans, Essence, "Black Experts Dug Into Why Black Women Are Losing Their Hair," 7 July 2019 She eventually was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder alopecia areata, an incurable condition that is said to affect nearly 7 million people in the United States. San Diego Union-Tribune, "For San Diego-raised actor Jackie Nguyen, ‘Miss Saigon’ has been a major part of her art and life," 30 June 2019 Because traction alopecia is caused by inflammation, Dr. Henry injects the scalp with steroids. Crystal Martin, New York Times, "What Black Women Need to Know About Hair Loss," 2 Apr. 2018 In fact, Allure recently shared the stories of six women with alopecia. Devon Abelman, Allure, "K-Pop Star Peniel of BTOB Opens Up About His Struggle With Hair Loss Due to Alopecia," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alopecia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of alopecia

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for alopecia

Middle English allopicia, allopucia "hair loss," borrowed from Medieval Latin allōpicia, allōpitia "baldness, mange," going back to Latin alōpecia "bald patch on the head (from a skin disease)," borrowed from Greek alōpekía "bald spot" (Aristotle), "disease causing hair loss" (Galen), original sense perhaps "sarcoptic mange (affecting foxes and other canids)," from alōpek-, alṓpēx "fox" + -ia -ia entry 1; alṓpēx probably going back to dialectal Indo-European *h2lōpeḱ-/*h2lōpēḱ- "small canid, fox" (whence, besides Greek, Armenian ałuēs "fox") and *h2leupēḱ- or *h2loupēḱ- (whence Sanskrit lopāśáḥ "small canid [as a jackal or fox]," Middle Persian rōpās, rōpāh "fox," Khotanese rrūvāsa- "jackal," Ossetic (Iron dialect) rubas, ruvas "fox")

Note: An initial element *(h2)lop-, close to the Greek, Armenian, and Indo-Iranian forms but with a short o, is apparently reflected in Celtic *lop-erno-, whence Old Welsh leuyrn, leuirn "foxes" (from *lou̯ern-ī with vowel affection; cf. Modern Welsh llewyrn, tân llewyrn "foxfire"), Breton louarn "fox," and Lithuanian lãpė "fox," Latvian lapsa. The long o in alṓpēx could perhaps be taken as a reflection of an original nominative *h2lōp-s, but the diphthong in the Indo-Iranian etymon remains unexplained. The element *(h2)lop- has been compared with *u̯l̥p- "small carnivore" proposed as the source of Latin vulpēs, volpēs "fox" (see vulpine), Lithuanian vilpišỹs "wildcat" and other words, but no unifying etymon can be readily reconstructed. If related, the set of "fox" forms are perhaps traces of a non-Indo-European Wanderwort acquired by Indo-European branches at different times and places.

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More Definitions for alopecia

alopecia

noun
al·​o·​pe·​cia | \ ˌal-ə-ˈpē-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce alopecia (audio) \

Medical Definition of alopecia

: partial or complete loss of hair, wool, or feathers : baldness

Other Words from alopecia

alopecic \ -​ˈpē-​sik How to pronounce alopecic (audio) \ adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on alopecia

Nglish: Translation of alopecia for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alopecia