trachoma: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Medical
Quick answer
What does “trachoma” mean?
A contagious bacterial infection of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, leading to inflammation and potential blindness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A contagious bacterial infection of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, leading to inflammation and potential blindness.
A chronic conjunctivitis that causes scarring of the inner eyelid and cornea, often associated with poor sanitation and prevalent in developing regions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use the term identically in medical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral medical term with no additional connotations in either variety.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse but common in medical literature and regions where the disease is endemic.
Grammar
How to Use “trachoma” in a Sentence
diagnose trachomatransmit trachomatrachoma in childrenVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear in corporate social responsibility reports related to health initiatives.
Academic
Common in medical, epidemiological, and public health research papers.
Everyday
Very rare; typically only mentioned in discussions about global health or personal medical issues.
Technical
Standard term in ophthalmology, infectious disease, and international health organizations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “trachoma”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “trachoma”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trachoma”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈtrækəmə/ or /træˈkoʊmə/.
- Confusing trachoma with other eye conditions like glaucoma or conjunctivitis in non-specific contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
It is spread through direct contact with eye or nasal secretions, often via flies or contaminated hands in unhygienic conditions.
Yes, early stages can be treated with antibiotics like azithromycin, while advanced cases may require surgery.
Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease that causes preventable blindness, disproportionately affecting children and women in low-resource settings.
A contagious bacterial infection of the eye caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, leading to inflammation and potential blindness.
Trachoma is usually formal/medical in register.
Trachoma: in British English it is pronounced /trəˈkəʊmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /trəˈkoʊmə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'track home' – the bacteria track their way home to the eyes, causing infection.
Conceptual Metaphor
The eyes as a battlefield invaded by bacteria, leading to destruction and blindness.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of trachoma?