progeria

noun

pro·​ge·​ria prō-ˈjir-ē-ə 

: a rare genetic disorder of childhood marked by slowed physical growth and characteristic signs (such as baldness, wrinkled skin, and atherosclerosis) of rapid aging with death usually occurring around puberty

Examples of progeria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My own lab is working on this approach for progeria [a rare genetic condition that causes children to age prematurely]. —Alice Park, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025

The same misspelling is found in almost all of the 200 individuals around the world with progeria. —Francis Collins, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025

For progeria and thousands of other genetic diseases, there are two reasons why this same approach won’t work. —Francis Collins, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025

Per the Mayo Clinic the average life expectancy for a child with progeria is about 15 years though some may live to as much as 20 years. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek progḗrōs "prematurely old" (from pro- pro- entry 1 + -gērōs, adjective derivative from the stem of gḗras "old age") + -ia entry 1 — more at geriatric entry 2

Note: The term progeria was introduced by the British surgeon Hastings Gilford (1861-1941) in "Progeria: a form of senilism," The Practioner, vol. 73 (August, 1904), pp. 188-217. According to the author, "it was this peculiar mixture of relative bigness and littleness, youth and old age, which suggested the word micromegaly, at first used as a provisional name for the disease. But it is obvious that the most conspicuous feature is that of premature senile decay, and the name progeria, for which I am indebted to Mr. James Rhoades [1841-1923, Anglo-Irish poet and schoolmaster] and Professor Arthur Sidgwick [1840-1920, Oxford classicist], is not only a far better word, but it is a true description of the distinguishing features of the two cases" (p. 210).

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for progeria

• area
• ceria
• feria
• varia
• aquaria
• gregaria
• herbaria
• hysteria
• malaria
• puparia
• rancheria
• araucaria

Medical Definition

progeria

noun

pro·​ge·​ria prō-ˈjir-ē-ə 

: a rare genetic disorder of childhood marked by slowed physical growth and characteristic signs (as baldness, wrinkled skin, and atherosclerosis) of rapid aging with death usually occurring during puberty