cri du chat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical (Medical) / Formal
Quick answer
What does “cri du chat” mean?
A rare genetic disorder caused by a missing piece of chromosome 5, named for the distinctive cat-like cry of affected infants.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rare genetic disorder caused by a missing piece of chromosome 5, named for the distinctive cat-like cry of affected infants.
In a broader, literary or metaphorical sense, it can refer to any high-pitched, plaintive cry reminiscent of a kitten.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or spelling between UK and US English. Both use the original French term.
Connotations
Purely medical/clinical. Carries no additional cultural or slang connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, used only in specific medical, genetic, or academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cri du chat” in a Sentence
[diagnose/identify] + cri du chat + [in an infant][The infant] + [has/is diagnosed with] + cri du chatVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cri du chat” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cri-du-chat phenotype is well documented.
- She is a specialist in cri-du-chat research.
American English
- The cri-du-chat phenotype is well-documented.
- She is a specialist in cri du chat research.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Common in genetics, paediatric medicine, and biology research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Used in clinical diagnoses, medical textbooks, and genetic counselling.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cri du chat”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cri du chat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cri du chat”
- Incorrect capitalization: 'Cri Du Chat'. Correct is typically all lowercase.
- Mispronunciation: pronouncing 'chat' as English /tʃæt/ instead of French /ʃɑ/.
- Using it as a general term for any odd cry instead of the specific syndrome.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a loan phrase from French used untranslated in English medical terminology.
Only in a very specific, metaphorical literary sense. In normal usage, it would be inappropriate and insensitive as it refers to a serious medical condition.
It is diagnosed through genetic testing, specifically a karyotype or chromosomal microarray analysis, which detects the deletion on chromosome 5.
There is no cure. Management focuses on supportive therapies such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, and educational support to address developmental delays.
A rare genetic disorder caused by a missing piece of chromosome 5, named for the distinctive cat-like cry of affected infants.
Cri du chat is usually technical (medical) / formal in register.
Cri du chat: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkriː d(j)uː ˈʃɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkri du ˈʃɑ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The CRY (cri) of a tiny kitten (chat) leads doctors to suspect this genetic condition in a newborn.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A TEXT (with a chromosomal deletion being a missing paragraph); A CRY IS A DIAGNOSTIC SIGNAL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'cri du chat' most appropriately used?