Definition of: thalassemia

(thal′ə·sē′mē·ə) noun
Any of a group of mild-to-fatal anemias accompanied by varying bone deformities, enlargement of the spleen and other signs, resulting from an inborn error in the synthesis of globin; limited largely to persons of Mediterranean origin. [<Gk. thalassa sea + -EMIA thal′as·se′mic adjective