Lyme disease

noun \ˈlīm-\

: a serious disease that is spread by the bite of a small insect (called a deer tick)

Full Definition of LYME DISEASE

: an acute inflammatory disease that is caused by a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) transmitted by ticks (genus Ixodes and especially I. dammini), that is usually characterized initially by a spreading red annular erythematous skin lesion and by fatigue, fever, and chills, and that if left untreated may later manifest itself in joint pain, arthritis, and cardiac and neurological disorders —called also Lyme

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Origin of LYME DISEASE

Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first reported

First Known Use: 1979

Medical Dictionary

Lyme disease

noun

Medical Definition of LYME DISEASE

: an acute inflammatory disease that is usually characterized initially by the skin lesion erythema migrans and by fatigue, fever, and chills and if left untreated may later manifest itself in cardiac and neurological disorders, joint pain, and arthritis and that is caused by a spirochete of the genus Borrelia (B. burgdorferi) transmitted by the bite of a tick especially of the genus Ixodes (I. scapularis synonym I. dammini in the eastern and midwestern United States, I. pacificus especially in some parts of the Pacific coastal states of the United States, and I. ricinus in Europe)—called also Lyme, Lyme borreliosis