ophthalmia

noun

oph·​thal·​mia äf-ˈthal-mē-ə 

äp-

: inflammation of the conjunctiva or the eyeball

Examples of ophthalmia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Medical Definition

ophthalmia

noun

oph·​thal·​mia äf-ˈthal-mē-ə, äp- 

: inflammation of the conjunctiva or the eyeball