ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lyme

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈɫaɪm// ly·me Informal Slang

n. a serious illness you get from the bite of a tiny insect called a tick. It often causes a red rash that looks like a target and makes you feel very tired or sore.

n. an inflammatory disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Often presents with a characteristic bullseye rash and systemic symptoms.


SIMPLE

He spent weeks recovering from Lyme after a hiking trip.

CONTEXTUAL

Doctors recommend wearing long trousers in tall grass to prevent the tick bites that spread Lyme.

COMPLEX

Early diagnosis of Lyme is critical, as the infection can progress from localized skin irritation to more severe neurological and cardiac complications if left untreated by antibiotics.

Usage

Usually refers to the disease itself; often used as a modifier in the phrase 'Lyme disease'.

Pitfall

I have the LymeI have LymeNames of specific diseases like Lyme do not typically take the definite article.

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