diathesis

[ dahy-ath-uh-sis ]
/ daɪˈæθ ə sɪs /

noun, plural di·ath·e·ses [dahy-ath-uh-seez] /daɪˈæθ əˌsiz/.

Pathology. a constitutional predisposition or tendency, as to a particular disease or other abnormal state of the body or mind.

Origin of diathesis

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek diáthesis arrangement, disposition. See dia-, thesis

OTHER WORDS FROM diathesis

di·a·thet·ic [dahy-uh-thet-ik] /ˌdaɪ əˈθɛt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby diathesis

diathermal, diathermancy, diathermanous, diathermic, diathermy, diathesis, diatom, diatomaceous, diatomaceous earth, diatomic, diatomite

Example sentences from the Web for diathesis

British Dictionary definitions for diathesis

diathesis
/ (daɪˈæθɪsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

a hereditary or acquired susceptibility of the body to one or more diseases

Derived forms of diathesis

diathetic (ˌdaɪəˈθɛtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for diathesis

C17: New Latin, from Greek: propensity, from diatithenai to dispose, from dia- + tithenai to place

Medical definitions for diathesis

diathesis
[ dī-ăth′ĭ-sĭs ]

n. pl. di•ath•e•ses (-sēz′)

A hereditary predisposition of the body to a disease, a group of diseases, an allergy, or another disorder.

Other words from diathesis

di′a•thet′ic (dī′ə-thĕt′ĭk) adj.