: absence of hydrochloric acid from the gastric juice

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French achlorhydrie, from a- a- entry 2 + (acide) chlorhydr(ique) "hydrochloric acid" (from chlore "chlorine"—borrowed from Greek chlōrós "greenish-yellow"— + hydr- hydr- + -ique -ic entry 1) + -ie -ia entry 1 — more at yellow entry 1

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of achlorhydria was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Achlorhydria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/achlorhydria. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

: absence of hydrochloric acid from the gastric juice compare hyperchlorhydria, hypochlorhydria
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