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The combining form -aemia is used like a suffix to denote an abnormal blood condition, especially the presence of a certain kind of substance in the blood that causes disease. It is used in many medical terms, especially in pathology.

The form -aemia ultimately comes from the Greek ��î����, meaning “blood.” �Ჹî���� is the same Greek root that gives us the combining form hemo- meaning “blood,” as in hemoblast.

Variants of hemo- (and closely related to -aemia) are haem-, haema-, haemo-, haemat-, haemato-, hem-, hema-, hemat-, and hemato-. Learn more about their specific applications at our �������t¶��s That Use articles for the forms.

What are variants of -aemia?

The combining form -aemia is a variant of -emia and is chiefly used in British English. Want to know more? Read our �������t¶��s That Use –emia article.

Historically, -aemia has been written as -�����, featuring a ligature of the a and e.

When combined with words or word elements ending with -p, -t, or -k, -aemia becomes -haemia, as in , or, in American English, -hemia (thrombocythemia).

Anaemia is a variant spelling of anemia. In pathology, anaemia is a deficiency of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to tissue in the body. This condition can result in feeling weak and having a pale color. Figuratively, anaemia refers to a lack of vitality or oomph, often appearing in its adjective form, anaemic.

The first part of the word, an-, means “not,” “without,” or “lacking.” The -aemia part of the word, as we’ve seen, concerns blood. Anaemia literally translates to “lacking blood.”

The word anaemia comes from the Greek ���Բ�����í��, which uses the equivalent forms of an- and -emia in the language.

What are some words that use the combining form -aemia?

• copraemia
• erythraemia
• glycaemia
• hydraemia
• hyperaemia
• hypoglycaemia
• ischaemia
• leukaemia (from German ����ܰ�ä������)
• ketonaemia
• oligaemia
• pyaemia (using the equivalent form of -aemia in New Latin)
• sapraemia
• viraemia

What are some other forms that -aemia may be commonly confused with?

• -aea
• -aean
• -ama
• -amine

Many other words end in the letters -emia, such as academia and Bohemia, but are not using -aemia or -emia as a combining form to denote a blood condition. Study up on their wandering ways at our entries for the words.

Treating diabetes can result in hypoglycaemia, the abnormally low level of glucose in the blood. Hypo- means “under, below normal.” Glyc- refers to “sugar” and “glucose.” What does hypoglycaemia literally translate to?