sequela

noun

se·​quela si-ˈkwe-lə 

plural sequelae si-ˈkwe-(ˌ)lē 

1

: an aftereffect of a disease, condition, or injury

2

: a secondary result

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Another dangerous sequela of unnecessary treatment is the development of antimicrobial resistant organisms, which is a huge global problem. —Richard Marfuggi, STAT, 22 Dec. 2022

Following the debut of bulimia nervosa in the DSM-III, the University of Chicago put out a press release publicizing its own rather novel data on a kind of sequela of anorexia. —Lee Daniel Kravetz, The Cut, 31 July 2017

Today, however, the Buffalo News carries the story of a New York State teen’s death from MRSA pneumonia as a sequela of flu: Matthew Davis was a healthy Buffalo teenager who participated in sports before complaining of headaches June 13. —Maryn Mckenna, WIRED, 23 June 2009

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, sequel

First Known Use

circa 1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

sequela

noun

se·​quela si-ˈkwe-lə 

plural sequelae -(ˌ)lē 

: a negative aftereffect

prevention of the post-phlebitic sequelae

—A. G. Sharf

the emotional sequelae of early parental death

—Sheila Ballantyne