MARASMUS

marasmus

(noun) extreme malnutrition and emaciation (especially in children); can result from inadequate intake of food or from malabsorption or metabolic disorders

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

marasmus (uncountable)

(medicine) Any wasting disease, especially a severe loss of body weight, in children, caused by malnutrition or the inability to digest protein

Source: Wiktionary

Ma*ras"mus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Definition: A wasting of flesh without fever or apparent disease; a kind of consumption; atrophy; phthisis. Pining atrophy, Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence. Milton. Marasmus senilis Etym: [L.], progressive atrophy of the aged.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition