First Known Use: 1778
Dictionary
asphyxia
noun as·phyx·ia \as-ˈfik-sē-ə, əs-\
medical : the state of not being able to breathe
Full Definition of ASPHYXIA
: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that results in unconsciousness and often death and is usually caused by interruption of breathing or inadequate oxygen supply
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Origin of ASPHYXIA
New Latin, from Greek, stopping of the pulse, from a- + sphyzein to throb
Other Medicine Terms
Rhymes with ASPHYXIA
Medical Dictionary
asphyxia
noun as·phyx·ia \as-ˈfik-sē-ə, əs-\
Medical Definition of ASPHYXIA
: a lack of oxygen or excess of carbon dioxide in the body that is usually caused by interruption of breathing and that causes unconsciousness—compare suffocation
—as·phyx·i·al \-sē-əl\ adjective
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