porphyria

noun

por·​phyr·​ia pȯr-ˈfir-ē-ə How to pronounce porphyria (audio)
: any of several usually hereditary abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism characterized by excretion of excess porphyrins in the urine

Examples of porphyria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The appeal stems from Rogers having a medical condition known as porphyria and the potential interaction with etomidate, the first drug administered in the three-drug execution process. Jim Saunders, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2025 More recent research argues against the porphyria hypothesis. Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 10 May 2023 The doctors began to doubt that porphyria was behind the woman's symptoms. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 28 Apr. 2023 In the 1960s, psychiatrists Ida Macalpine and Richard Hunter argued in the British Medical Journal that George had acute porphyrias, a metabolic disorder that impacts the nervous system. Town & Country, 8 May 2023 But, the hospital was short on hemin—the standard treatment for porphyria—so she was transferred to Massachusetts General. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 28 Apr. 2023 In his article, Illis outlined congenital porphyria, which manifests in the form of photosensitivity, reddish teeth and psychosis, as the most convincing medical explanation for this mythological phenomenon. Tim Brinkhof, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2021 Garlic also is connected to patients with porphyria. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022 People with chronic adrenal failure or who have inherited a rare disorder called porphyria are not good candidates. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary porphyrin

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of porphyria was in 1923

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Cite this Entry

“Porphyria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porphyria. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

porphyria

noun
por·​phyr·​ia pȯr-ˈfir-ē-ə How to pronounce porphyria (audio)
: any of several usually hereditary abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism characterized by excretion of excess porphyrins in the urine and by extreme sensitivity to light

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