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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
Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Other causes include arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata.
—Sarah Klein, Health, 25 June 2024
Jokes about alopecia are always dusty anyway because making fun of people’s bodies is never appropriate.
—Akilah Sailers, Essence, 30 Sep. 2024
Pet medicine has progressed dramatically over the last decade, and there are now options for dogs and cats with cancer, heart conditions, or even alopecia.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for alopecia 
Dictionary Entries Near alopecia
Cite this Entry
“Alopecia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alopecia. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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alopecia
noun
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