n. (Med.) A chronic progressive anemia of older adults, thought to result from a lack of intrinsic factor (a substance secreted by the stomach that is responsible for the absorption of vitamin B-12); also called pernicious anemia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
(n) a chronic progressive anemia of older adults; thought to result from a lack of intrinsic factor (a substance secreted by the stomach that is responsible for the absorption of vitamin B12), Syn. malignant anemia, pernicious anaemia, malignant anaemia