chlamydia

[ kluh-mid-ee-uh ]
/ kləˈmɪd i ə /

noun, plural chla·myd·i·ae [kluh-mid-ee-ee] /kləˈmɪd iˌi/.

Microbiology. any coccoid rickettsia of the genus Chlamydia, parasitic in birds and mammals, including humans, and causing various infections, especially of the eyes, as trachoma, lungs, as psittacosis, and genitourinary tract, as urethritis or chlamydia.
Pathology. Also called lymphogranuloma venereum. a widespread, often asymptomatic sexually transmitted disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, a major cause of nongonococcal urethritis in men and pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy in women.

Origin of chlamydia

1945; < New Latin < Greek chlamyd-, stem of chlamýs chlamys + New Latin -ia -ia

Example sentences from the Web for chlamydia

British Dictionary definitions for chlamydia

chlamydia
/ (kləˈmɪdɪə) /

noun

any Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Chlamydia, which are obligate intracellular parasites and are responsible for such diseases as trachoma, psittacosis, and some sexually transmitted diseases

Word Origin for chlamydia

C20: New Latin, from Greek khlamus mantle + -ia

Medical definitions for chlamydia (1 of 2)

chlamydia
[ klə-mĭdē-ə ]

n. pl. chla•myd•i•ae (-ē-ē′)

Any of several common, often asymptomatic, sexually transmitted diseases caused by the microorganism Chlamydia trachomatis.

Other words from chlamydia

chla•mydi•al adj.

Medical definitions for chlamydia (2 of 2)

Chlamydia
[ klə-mĭdē-ə ]

n.

A genus of coccoid, gram-negative microorganisms that are pathogenic to humans and animals, causing diseases such as conjunctivitis in cattle and sheep, and trachoma, nonspecific urethritis, and proctitis in humans. Bedsonia Miyagawanella

Scientific definitions for chlamydia

chlamydia
[ klə-mĭdē-ə ]

Plural chlamydiae (klə-mĭdē-ē′)

Any of various bacteria of the genus Chlamydia, several species of which cause common infections in humans and animals, including neonatal conjunctivitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis, and sexually transmitted infections of the pelvis and urethra.