3 syllables: Ma, ras, mus. Stress on Ma.
MAR-uh-mas-uhs
/ˈmærəˌmæsəs/
Marasmus is pronounced MAR-uh-mas-uhs (/ˈmærəˌmæsəs/). It has three syllables (Ma-ras-mus), with the stress on "Ma". Marasmus is a severe, chronic form of malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency and wasting of adipose tissue and muscle. It results from prolonged inadequate intake of protein and calories, leading to extreme weakness, stunted growth in children, and immune dysfunction. Although medical advances reduce incidences in some regions, marasmus remains a critical public health concern in areas with food insecurity.
nounMarasmus is a severe, chronic form of malnutrition characterized by energy deficiency and wasting of adipose tissue and muscle. It results from prolonged inadequate intake of protein and calories, leading to extreme weakness, stunted growth in children, and immune dysfunction. Although medical advances reduce incidences in some regions, marasmus remains a critical public health concern in areas with food insecurity.
"The study focused on marasmus as one of the two major forms of severe acute malnutrition in children."
"Without adequate nutrition in early childhood, marasmus can cause irreversible damage to growth and cognitive development."
"The charity reported cases of marasmus among refugees arriving with limited food access."
Marasmus is pronounced MAIR-uh-MAS-uhm, with the stress on the second syllable: /ˈmærəˌmæzəm/. IPA: US/UK/AU share the same primary stress pattern. Start with /ˈm/ then /æ/ as in ‘cat’, a light /r/ immediately after, a schwa-less /æ/ in the third syllable, and end with /zəm/ as in ‘zoo’ reduced to /zəm/. You can listen to youglish Pronounce or Forvo entries for precise articulation in medical contexts.
Common errors include misplacing stress, saying ‘mah-RAH-mus’ or ‘MAIR-uh-mas-um’ with uneven syllables, and mispronouncing the final syllable as /mæs/ or /mæsəm/ without proper /z/ and syllabic /m/ blend. Correction tips: keep primary stress on the second syllable, use a clear /æ/ in the first and third vowels, and finish with a light, quick /zəm/ rather than a heavy /z/ with an extra vowel. Practice with slowed, syllable-by-syllable repetition.
Across accents, the main difference is vowel quality and rhoticity. US and AU pronunciations keep a rhotic /r/ in the second syllable and a clear /æ/ in the first and third vowels; UK tends toward a slightly reduced /ə/ or a shorter /æ/ in the vowels. The final syllable /zəm/ remains consistent. Ensure you preserve the three-syllable rhythm (MAR-uh-MA-zum) while slightly softening vowels in non-rhotic UK speech.
It involves three adjacent syllables with contrasting consonants and a cluster at the onset of the middle syllable. The /ˈmærə/ prefix requires a quick, light r control and a relatively lax /ə/ before /mæzəm/. The subtle /z/ on the penultimate syllable and final /m/ closure demand careful timing to avoid a trailing vowel or overly strong stop. Mastering the unstressed segments and maintaining uniform syllable weight is key.
A distinctive point is the transition into the /z/ in the second half of the word: the /r/ is not a hard American /ɹ/ in rapid speech; instead you can approach a light, almost tapped /ɹ/ before the /ə/ preceding /mæzəm/. Also, ensure not to nasalize the /æ/ too much in the first and third syllables, preserving open-front vowels. This sharp, crisp /z/ helps avoid blending with the following syllables.
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Marasmus originates from the Greek μαρᾶσμος (marasmos), from marasmos meaning ‘debilitation, withering, extreme tiredness,’ from maras wounding, bad, and the -мос (-mos) suffix denoting condition. The term entered medical vocabulary in the 18th–19th centuries as physicians described severe protein–calorie malnutrition. It differentiates from cachexia by its primary energy deficit and loss of subcutaneous fat, while still implying a wasting state. In modern usage, marasmus is used specifically for the category of severe malnutrition without edema, as opposed to kwashiorkor, which features edema. First known written descriptions appear in early medical treatises on famine- and starvation-related disorders, with progressive standardization in pediatrics as nutrition science matured.
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Words that rhyme with "Marasmus"
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