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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Williams, a teen YouTuber who lived with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, died in January. —Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 30 Nov. 2022

But Adalia had Hutchinson-Gilford progeria, a rare and deadly condition. —Laken Brooks, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2022

Adalia was a champion for children and teenagers with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria. —Laken Brooks, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2022

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a fatal disease. —Korin Miller, Health.com, 14 Jan. 2022

Adalia Rose Williams, a teen YouTuber who lived with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, has died. —Olivia Jakiel, PEOPLE.com, 13 Jan. 2022

With only 400 progeria patients worldwide, there aren’t enough of them for traditional trials — and the disease is so deadly that to give them a placebo is viewed as unethical. —Eric Boodman, STAT, 17 July 2021

The progeria community is one that’s plagued by loss. —Eric Boodman, STAT, 17 July 2021

The film suggests that the movie industry’s maturity imposed on him a premature senescence, that the norms of the profession entailed an artistic progeria which Hong ultimately resisted by making the drastic decision to shift to self-production. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 24 May 2021

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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

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