leukaemia
UK[luːˈkiːmiə]US[luːˈkiːmiə]
n
a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow, characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells.
Morpheme Breakdown
leuk
aemia
leuk
white
aemia
blood condition
Etymology
the term 'leukaemia' is a modern medical compound formed directly from ancient greek roots. it combines 'leukos', meaning 'white', with 'haima', meaning 'blood'. this name was coined in the 19th century by physicians to describe the disease's most visually distinctive feature observed under a microscope: a pale, whitish layer of abnormal cells in the blood, contrasting with the red layer of healthy blood cells. thus, the word's literal meaning, 'white blood', logically evolved into its modern abstract medical definition as a malignancy of the blood-forming tissues.
Analysis
Structure: leuk (white) + aemia (blood condition)
- leuk: from greek 'leukos', meaning 'white, bright, clear'. functions as a combining form denoting whiteness.
- aemia: from greek 'haima', meaning 'blood'. functions as a combining form denoting a condition of the blood.
Examples
the patient was diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
research into new treatments for leukaemia is ongoing.
a bone marrow transplant can sometimes cure certain types of leukaemia.