marasmus
noun
ma·ras·mus mə-ˈraz-məs 
: a condition of chronic undernourishment occurring especially in children and usually caused by a diet deficient in calories and proteins
marasmic
mə-ˈraz-mik
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Funeral home records show Edith died from marasmus, or severe undernourishment. 
Matthias Gafni, The Mercury News, 9 May 2017
Matthias Gafni, The Mercury News, 9 May 2017 Word History
Etymology
Late Latin, from Greek marasmos, from marainein to waste away
First Known Use
1574, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
marasmus
noun
ma·ras·mus mə-ˈraz-məs
: severe malnutrition affecting infants and children especially of impoverished regions that is characterized by poor growth, loss of subcutaneous fat, muscle atrophy, apathy, and pronounced weight loss and is usually caused by a diet deficient in calories and proteins but sometimes by disease (as dysentery or giardiasis)