Path. Also -emia. [mod.L., f. Gr. σπανο-, comb. form of σπανός (usually σπάν-ιος) scarce, scanty + -αιμία (as in ἀναιμία ANÆMIA), f. αἶμα blood. Cf. F. spanémie.] A morbid condition of the blood characterized by a deficiency of red corpuscles; poorness of the blood.
1845. G. E. Day, trans. Simon’s Anim. Chem., I. 306. The hypinosis speedily merges into spanæmia. [Footnote] We prefer this term to anæmia, because the latter is used to represent a morbid condition of the blood subordinate to spanæmia.
1853. Markham, Skoda’s Auscult., Pref. p. xviii. It does not appear to be a sign of anæmia or spanæmia.
1897. Hutchinson’s Arch. Surg., VIII. 199. There was no evidence of spanæmia.
Hence Spanæmic a., of or relating to, inducing spanæmia; also sb., a medicine inducing spanæmia.
1882. in Ogilvie’s Imp. Dict.
