dysesthesia
|dys-es-the-si-a|
🇺🇸
/ˌdɪsɪˈsθiːʒə/
🇬🇧
/ˌdɪsəˈsθiːzjə/
unpleasant/abnormal sensation
Etymology
'dysesthesia' originates from Greek elements: 'dys-' meaning 'bad, difficult' and 'aesthēsis' (αἴσθησις) meaning 'sensation, perception'.
'dysesthesia' was formed in modern medical English from the Greek components 'dys-' + 'aesthesis' (via Neo-Latin/medical coinage). The variant spelling 'dysaesthesia' reflects British/older transliteration of 'aesthesis'.
Initially the components literally conveyed 'bad or disordered sensation'; over time the term has been used in medicine to denote specific unpleasant abnormal sensations linked to nerve dysfunction.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an abnormal and typically unpleasant sensation (such as burning, tingling, numbness, or electric-shock feelings) often caused by nerve damage or dysfunction.
The patient complained of dysesthesia in both feet, describing a persistent burning sensation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/29 02:54