achalasia

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/eɪkəˈleɪzi.ə/

noun

Such obstruction in the esophagus: esophageal achalasia.

OriginAncient Greek ἀ- →
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Meanings

nounachalasia (countable and uncountable, plural achalasias)

plural achalasias

  1. A neuromuscular condition where a ring of muscles is unable to relax fully, causing obstruction of a lumen, as:
    1. countableespeciallyuncountableusuallymedicineSuch obstruction in the esophagus: esophageal achalasia.
    2. countableespeciallyuncountableusuallystrictlymedicineSuch esophageal achalasia of primary (idiopathic) nature: primary esophageal achalasia.
    3. countableuncountableoccasionallymedicineSuch obstruction due to impairment of other gastrointestinal tract smooth muscles.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekἀ-“not”
  2. Englishachalasia

From Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-, “not”) + χάλασις (khálasis, “relaxation”), from χαλάω (khaláō, “I loosen”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish akalasia
  • akalasiaTranslations
Greek αχαλασία
  • αχαλασία (achalasía)Translations
Icelandic vélindislokakrampi
  • vélindislokakrampiTranslations
Indonesian aklasia
  • aklasiaTranslations
Italian acalasia
  • acalasiaTranslations
Polish achalazja
  • achalazjaTranslations
Portuguese acalasia
  • acalasiaTranslations
Spanish acalasia
  • acalasiaTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

achalasia. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/achalasia

MLA

“achalasia.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/achalasia. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “achalasia,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/achalasia.

Source: achalasia on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.