marasmo
1. A form of protein-energy malnutrition characterized by wasting, weight loss, and muscle atrophy, typically occurring in infants and young children due to severe caloric deficiency
The child suffered from marasmus due to prolonged malnutrition and lack of proper dietary intake.
A criança sofria de marasmo devido à desnutrição prolongada e falta de ingestão adequada de alimentos.
2. In medical contexts, a state of extreme emaciation and wasting of body tissues
The patient showed signs of marasmus with visible skeletal prominence and loss of subcutaneous fat.
O paciente apresentava sinais de marasmo com proeminência esquelética visível e perda de gordura subcutânea.
3. Figuratively, a state of decline, decay, or wasting away
The company fell into marasmus as it failed to adapt to market changes.
A empresa entrou em marasmo ao não conseguir se adaptar às mudanças do mercado.
Marasmus is primarily a medical and scientific term used in both English and Portuguese-speaking countries. In Brazil, it appears frequently in medical literature, pediatric contexts, and public health discussions related to child malnutrition. The figurative sense of decline or stagnation is less common in everyday speech but may appear in literary or formal contexts. The term reflects the shared medical terminology between English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking medical communities.
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