Lyme disease

noun

ˈlīm- 

: 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\ ˈlīm \

Examples of Lyme disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also Read Foo Fighters, Noah Kahan Lead Bill For Renamed Connecticut Festival Hanna had already revealed quite a lot in the 2013 documentary, The Punk Singer: A Film About Kathleen Hanna, which traced a speedy trajectory of her life leading to her battles with late stage Lyme disease. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 14 May 2024

For example, white-footed mice, the main carriers of Lyme disease, have become one of the most dominant species in their habitat as other, rarer animals have disappeared—a change that might have played a role, among other factors, in driving rising rates of Lyme disease in the United States. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024

Symptoms also worsen in severity over time, so seeking treatment early for possible Lyme disease is necessary. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 8 May 2024

This is one aspect of her origin story that will likely be familiar to fans, who have over the years gleaned a sketchy timeline of her life, from difficult childhood to ’90s notoriety to a diagnosis of late-stage Lyme disease that sidelined her for years following Le Tigre’s dissolution in 2007. —TIME, 7 May 2024

Headache, fatigue and muscle aches: with Lyme disease, patients may also have joint pain. —Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 6 May 2024

Research shows that Black people are at a higher risk for Lyme disease misdiagnoses than people with lighter skin. —Julia Sullivan, SELF, 6 May 2024

Most Lyme disease cases have been reported in the upper Midwest, Northeast and mid-Atlantic states. —Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 5 May 2024

Trista Sutter is giving an update on husband Ryan Sutter’s battle with Lyme disease. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first reported

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Lyme disease

noun

ˈlīm- 

: a serious disease that is caused by a bacterium transmitted by some ticks, that is often characterized at first by a spreading red patch on the skin, and that may result in joint pain and disorders of the heart and nervous system if left untreated

Etymology

from Lyme, Connecticut, where the disease was first reported

Medical Definition

Lyme disease

noun

: 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