myxoma

noun

myx·​o·​ma mik-ˈsō-mə How to pronounce myxoma (audio)
plural myxomas also myxomata mik-ˈsō-mə-tə How to pronounce myxoma (audio)
: a soft tumor made up of gelatinous connective tissue like that of the umbilical cord
myxomatous adjective

Examples of myxoma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Over time, genome analyses of newer strains have not only identified several mutations from the original South American myxoma viral strain but also the addition of entirely new gene sequences. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 21 June 2022 The myxoma-like virus detected in these hares had gained approximately 2,800 new base pairs, compared to a South American rabbitpox strain. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 21 June 2022 Subsequent findings from this experiment confirmed that the replication of the myxoma-like virus within hare cells depended on the expression of M159 proteins. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 6 June 2022 For example, within a seven-year period, a myxoma strain that once had a 90% fatality rate in rabbits living in Lake Urana only killed 26% of rabbits in the same area. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 June 2022 The myxoma virus was introduced to Ireland that same summer. Paul Muldoon, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2021 Grant McFadden has spent over two decades studying the myxoma virus. Amanda Morris, azcentral, 10 May 2020 An atrial myxoma is a rare non-cancerous tumor that grows on the heart and, if caught, can be easily removed. Jenny Mollen, Marie Claire, 17 July 2017 An atrial myxoma is a rare non-cancerous tumor that grows on the heart and, if caught, can be easily removed. Jenny Mollen, Marie Claire, 17 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'myxoma.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Greek mýxa "nasal discharge, slime" + New Latin -oma -oma — more at myxo-

Note: Term introduced by Rudolf virchow in "Ein Fall von bösartigen, zum Theil in der Form des Neuroms auftretenden Fettgeschwülsten," Archiv für pathologische Anatomie und Physiologie und für klinische Medicin, Band 11 (1857), p. 287: "… im Anfange der Bildung konnte man sie als Schleimgeschwulst (Tumor mucosus, Myxoma) bezeichen." ("… in the early stages of formation one could designate it as a mucous tumor (tumor mucosus, myxoma).") Later in the same paper he uses the vernacular form Myxom.

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of myxoma was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near myxoma

Cite this Entry

“Myxoma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myxoma. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

myxoma

noun
myx·​o·​ma mik-ˈsō-mə How to pronounce myxoma (audio)
plural myxomas also myxomata -mət-ə How to pronounce myxoma (audio)
: a soft tumor made up of gelatinous connective tissue resembling that found in the umbilical cord
myxomatous adjective
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