Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

galactosemia

noun ga·lac·to·semia \ gə-ˌlak-tə-ˈsē-mē-ə \
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of galactosemia

: a metabolic disorder that is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and in which galactose accumulates in the blood due to deficiency of an enzyme catalyzing its conversion to glucose
—

galactosemic

play \gə-ˌlak-tə-ˈsē-mik\ adjective

Recent Examples of galactosemia from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'galactosemia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of galactosemia

galactose + -emia (probably after German Galactosämie)

Medical Dictionary

galactosemia

noun ga·lac·tos·emia
variants: or chiefly British galactosaemia play \gə-ˌlak-tə-ˈsē-mē-ə\

medical Definition of galactosemia

: a metabolic disorder inherited as an autosomal recessive trait in which galactose accumulates in the blood due to deficiency of an enzyme catalyzing its conversion to glucose
  • … there might someday be a panel of simultaneous tests for cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria and galactosemia, three of the most important genetic disorders among white Americans.
  • —Harold M. Schmeck, Jr., The New York Times,  18 Oct. 1983
—

galactosemic

or chiefly British galactosaemic play \-mik\ adjective
    • galactosemic infants

Learn More about galactosemia

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about galactosemia

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up galactosemia? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

play

investment of mental or emotional energy

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. charlatan 'faker or fraud'

  2. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  3. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  4. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  5. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

galactosemia

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

  • image1926873504
  • Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c
'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
Name That Thing
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz
Citation
Citation

Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?

Play the game