ophthalmia

noun

oph·​thal·​mia äf-ˈthal-mē-ə How to pronounce ophthalmia (audio)
äp-
: inflammation of the conjunctiva or the eyeball

Examples of ophthalmia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the Italian campaign Hannibal rode an elephant through a swamp off the Arno and lost the sight in his right eye from what was probably ophthalmia. —Smithsonian, 28 June 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English obtalmia, borrowed from Late Latin ophthalmia (Medieval Latin also obtalmia), borrowed from Greek ophthalmía, from ophthalmós "eye" + -ia -ia entry 1 ophthalmo-

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ophthalmia was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ophthalmia

ophthalmencephalon

ophthalmia

ophthalmiater

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Ophthalmia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ophthalmia. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

ophthalmia

noun
oph·​thal·​mia äf-ˈthal-mē-ə, äp- How to pronounce ophthalmia (audio)
: inflammation of the conjunctiva or the eyeball
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