mononucleosis
[ mon-uh-noo-klee-oh-sis, -nyoo- ]
/ ˌmɒn əˌnu kliˈoʊ sɪs, -ˌnyu- /
noun Pathology.
the presence of an abnormally large number of mononuclear leukocytes, or monocytes, in the blood.
Origin of mononucleosis
First recorded in 1915–20;
mononucle(ar) +
-osis
Words nearby mononucleosis
British Dictionary definitions for mononucleosis
mononucleosis
/ (ˌmɒnəʊˌnjuːklɪˈəʊsɪs) /
noun
pathol
the presence of a large number of monocytes in the blood
Medical definitions for mononucleosis
mononucleosis
[ mŏn′ō-nōō′klē-ō′sĭs ]
n.
Abnormally large numbers of mononuclear white blood cells in the blood, especially forms that are not normal.
Infectious mononucleosis.
Scientific definitions for mononucleosis
mononucleosis
[ mŏn′ō-nōō′klē-ō′sĭs ]
A common infectious disease usually affecting young people, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus and characterized by fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. The symptoms may last for several weeks.
Cultural definitions for mononucleosis
mononucleosis
[ (mon-uh-nooh-klee-oh-sis) ]
An acute and infectious disease caused by a virus; its symptoms include fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, and general exhaustion. Mononucleosis gets its name from the kind of white blood cell (monocyte) that increases in number in the blood of persons who have the disease. There is no specific treatment, but sufferers usually recover within a few weeks.
notes for mononucleosis
Mononucleosis is sometimes called the “kissing disease,” because at one time the virus was thought to be transmitted by kissing. The virus can be found in the
saliva of those who have the disease, so there may be some truth in the belief.