Definition of China syndrome

1. Noun. (idiomatic nuclear physics uncountable) A hypothetical kind of catastrophic failure in which a nuclear reactor melts through the floor of its containment system and penetrates the earth's surface, continuing downward as if (from a Western Hemisphere Western Hemispheric point of view) traveling through the planet toward China. ¹

2. Noun. (idiomatic countable nuclear physics possibly _ nonstandard) One instance of such a nuclear mishap. ¹

3. Noun. (idiomatic countable sometimes fanciful ) A behavior, policy, or situation characteristic of or involving China; an actual or potential catastrophe, especially one involving China. ¹

4. Noun. (medicine) A rare disease, first characterized in the early 1990s, which resembles poliomyelitis but which has somewhat different characteristics and occurs in persons vaccinated for poliomyelitis. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of China syndrome

1. American jargon/slang for a nuclear fission meltdown accident (see meltdown) in which the molten nuclear core heats and melts the ground beneath it, thus sinking into the earth, and heading towards China (which is roughly on the opposite side of the globe). (09 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of China Syndrome

Chimaphila corymbosa
Chimaphila umbellata
Chimariko
Chimborazo
Chimera
Chimonanthus
Chimonanthus praecox
Chin
China
China's Sorrow
China aster
China fleece vine
China jute
China rose
China syndrome (current term)
China syndromes
China tree
Chinaman
Chinaman's chance
Chinaman on one's back
Chinamen
Chinamen's chances
Chinandega
Chinantec
Chinantecs
Chinatown
Chinatowner
Chinatowners
Chinchilla laniger

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