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Glite Dictionary
mongolism

mongolism

1 9.9
An offensive old word for Down syndrome, a condition present at birth with learning and physical differences
  • noun
  • /ˈmɒŋɡəˌlɪzəm/
  • Slur
: mongolismo
  • The term mongolism is now considered outdated and offensive in medical practice.

Examples

  • Older medical textbooks sometimes referred to Down syndrome as mongolism.

  • He was diagnosed with mongolism at a young age.

  • Use of the word mongolism has been replaced by the more accurate and respectful term, Down syndrome.

  • The term mongolism is now considered outdated and offensive.

  • The doctor informed us that our baby has mongolism, which is now more commonly referred to as Down syndrome.

  • Many individuals with mongolism face daily challenges, but they also bring unique joy to their families.

  • Research has improved significantly since the time when mongolism was the term used to describe the condition.

Synonyms

Down's syndrome
vsmongolism
  • UK
37 3.6

A condition caused by an extra chromosome that makes people have certain facial features, short height and learning difficulties

is offensive and outdated rather than a neutral regional spelling
trisomy 21
vsmongolism
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A condition present at birth caused by an extra 21st chromosome that affects learning and development

is an offensive, archaic label rather than the neutral scientific name
Down syndrome
vsmongolism
  • Specialized
1 3.3

A condition present at birth caused by an extra chromosome that makes learning harder and gives typical physical features

is offensive and archaic rather than neutral modern medical usage

Surface Forms

mongolism singular
mongolisms plural

Morphology

mongolism = Mongol (opaque) = mongol + ism

Although formed from the ethnonym 'Mongol' + '-ism', the term's medical meaning (Down syndrome) is archaic, offensive, and not deducible from the base word.

Etymology

The word mongolism comes from Mongol, the name of the people of Mongolia; in the 1800s some doctors thought the facial appearance of people with the condition looked like those people, so they used that name. This term is now considered offensive and has been replaced by the respectful name 'Down syndrome', which is the condition the old word referred to.