Avitaminosis – Definition & Meaning

Avitaminosis is a medical condition that occurs when the body doesn’t get enough vitamins. It can lead to a variety of health problems, including fatigue, weakness, and even death in severe cases. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of avitaminosis, its origin, and its associations.

Definitions

Avitaminosis is a condition that is caused by a deficiency of one or more vitamins in the body. It is characterized by a range of symptoms, including weakness, fatigue, and anemia. The condition can be caused by a lack of vitamins in the diet, as well as by certain medical conditions that interfere with the absorption or metabolism of vitamins.

Origin

The term avitaminosis was first used in the early 1900s to describe a condition that was then known as “vitamin deficiency disease.” The term was coined by the Polish biochemist Kazimierz Funk, who discovered the first vitamin, thiamine, in 1912.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, avitaminosis is “a pathological condition resulting from a deficiency of one or more vitamins.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a deficiency disease caused by a lack of one or more vitamins.”

Associations

Avitaminosis is associated with a variety of health problems, including fatigue, weakness, anemia, and poor immune function. It can also lead to more serious conditions, such as scurvy, which is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, and rickets, which is caused by a deficiency of vitamin D.

Synonyms

Synonyms of avitaminosis include vitamin deficiency, hypovitaminosis, and vitamin insufficiency.

Antonyms

Antonyms of avitaminosis include vitamin sufficiency and vitamin excess.

The same root words

The root words of avitaminosis are “a,” which means “not,” and “vitamin,” which refers to any of a group of organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition.

Example Sentences

1. Avitaminosis can lead to a variety of health problems, including fatigue, weakness, and anemia.
2. A lack of vitamins in the diet can cause avitaminosis.
3. Scurvy is a type of avitaminosis that is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.
4. Hypovitaminosis is another term for avitaminosis.
5. Vitamin sufficiency is the opposite of avitaminosis.