noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A neuromuscular condition where a ring of muscles is unable to relax fully, causing obstruction of a lumen, as:; Such obstruction in the esophagus: esophageal achalasia. countable, especially, uncountable, usually
2. 2
   A neuromuscular condition where a ring of muscles is unable to relax fully, causing obstruction of a lumen, as:; Such obstruction in the esophagus: esophageal achalasia.; Such esophageal achalasia of primary (idiopathic) nature: primary esophageal achalasia. countable, especially, uncountable, usually
3. 3
   A neuromuscular condition where a ring of muscles is unable to relax fully, causing obstruction of a lumen, as:; Such obstruction due to impairment of other gastrointestinal tract smooth muscles. countable, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms

cardiospasm

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-, “not”) + χάλασις (khálasis, “relaxation”), from χαλάω (khaláō, “I loosen”).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.