What does haemophilia mean?
Haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally because one or more clotting factors are deficient or malfunctioning. The two most common forms are haemophilia A, caused by factor VIII deficiency, and haemophilia B, caused by factor IX deficiency. The condition can lead to prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery, dental work, or even minor everyday knocks. It is most common in males because the genes involved are usually X-linked, although females can carry the affected gene and, less commonly, have symptoms. Haemophilia is a longstanding medical term, while the more general expression "bleeding disorder" is often used in everyday speech. Its name combines Greek roots meaning "blood" and "love," an ironic origin for a condition associated with impaired clotting. The word remains important in medicine because it identifies a distinct, potentially serious group of inherited conditions for which diagnosis, preventive care, and specialized treatment are essential.
nounAn inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of a blood-clotting factor, most commonly factor VIII (haemophilia A) or factor IX (haemophilia B). It causes prolonged or excessive bleeding after injury, surgery, or dental procedures.
- An inherited disorder of blood clotting characterized by excessive or prolonged bleeding.
"Routine surgery was postponed after the hospital confirmed that he had haemophilia."
"Routine surgery was postponed after the hospital confirmed that he had haemophilia."
"The nurse explained the risks of major dental work for patients with haemophilia."
Rare; the disorder is normally discussed in the uncountable singular, especially when referring generally to the condition.
"The haemophilias are inherited disorders that require specialist medical care."
The name literally evokes a "love of blood," but haemophilia is the opposite of blood-thirsty: it is a disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does haemophilia come from?
Haemophilia entered English in the early 19th century. It combines the Greek haima, "blood," with philia, from philos, "loving" or "fond of." The same elements are reflected in cognates such as haemoglobin, haemolysis, haematology, and philanthropy, although they developed along different semantic paths. British English retained the spelling "haemophilia," while American English adopted "hemophilia."
Related word forms
How haemophilia is actually used
This is primarily a formal medical term. In clinical guidance, "person with haemophilia" is generally preferred over the older noun "haemophiliac," and the condition is normally discussed with the uncountable singular rather than pluralized.
Easily confused with haemophilia
"Hemophilia" is the American spelling of the same disorder; "haemophilia" is the standard British spelling.