Down's syndrome

Down's syndrome
   a congenital disorder due to a chromosome deficiency
   This is an example of a phrase incorporating syndrome being used to avoid a taboo word — in this case what was formerly known as Mongolism. Here the stigma and the possible racial sneer are circumvented by naming the affliction after the English physician John Langdon Down (1828 — 1896):
    People they spoke to about mongolism — Down's syndrome as Angela insisted on referring to it. (Lodge, 1980)
   In the same way we may prefer not to talk about schizophrenia:
    ... to rid the ailment of unpleasant associations, there are now moves to have it called Kraepelin's syndrome. (Winchester, 1998)

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Down's syndrome — Down syndrome a condition resulting from a chromosomal abnormality most commonly due to the presence of three copies of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21), which is most likely to occur with advanced maternal age. Down s syndrome can also occur as a… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Down's syndrome — Down syndrome Down syn drome, Down s syndrome Down s syn drome, n. (Med.) A congenital disorder caused by an extra chromosome 21 in some or all cells. It causes a variable number and degree of abnormalities, including retarded growth, mental… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Down's syndrome — ► NOUN Medicine ▪ a congenital disorder causing intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities. USAGE Down s syndrome is the accepted term in modern use, and former terms such as mongol and mongolism, which are likely to cause offence, should …   English terms dictionary

  • Down's syndrome — Down s ,syndrome noun uncount DOWN SYNDROME …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Down's syndrome — Down s .syndrome n [U] [Date: 1900 2000; Origin: J. H. L. Down (1828 96), English doctor] a condition that someone is born with, that stops them from developing in a normal way, both mentally and physically …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Down's Syndrome — 1961, from J.L.H. Down (1828 1896), English physician; chosen as a less racist name for the condition than earlier MONGOLISM (Cf. mongolism) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Down's syndrome — N UNCOUNT Down s syndrome is a disorder that some people are born with. People who have Down s syndrome have a flat forehead and sloping eyes and lower than average intelligence. (in AM, usually use Down syndrome) …   English dictionary

  • Down's syndrome — a condition resulting from a genetic abnormality in which an extra chromosome is present (there are three no. 21 chromosomes instead of the usual two), giving a total of 47 chromosomes rather than the normal 46. The chances of having a Down s… …   Medical dictionary

  • Down's syndrome — noun Medicine a congenital disorder causing intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities including short stature and a broad facial profile. Origin 1960s: named after the 19th cent. English physician John L. H. Down. Usage Of relatively… …   English new terms dictionary

  • Down's syndrome — UK [ˈdaʊnz ˌsɪndrəʊm] / US [ˈdaʊnz ˌsɪndroʊm] noun [uncountable] medical a medical condition that someone is born with, that makes them develop in a different way from most people, mentally and physically. Down s syndrome is often simply called… …   English dictionary

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