diphtheria

[ dif-theer-ee-uh, dip- ]
/ dɪfˈθɪər i ə, dɪp- /

noun Pathology.

a febrile, infectious disease caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and characterized by the formation of a false membrane in the air passages, especially the throat.

Origin of diphtheria

1850–55; < New Latin < French diphthérie < Greek diphthér(a) skin, leather + -ia -ia

Words nearby diphtheria

diphenylhydantoin sodium, diphonia, diphosgene, diphosphate, diphosphoglycerate, diphtheria, diphtheria antitoxin, diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and pertussis vaccine, diphtheritic, diphtheritic membrane, diphtheroid

Example sentences from the Web for diphtheria

British Dictionary definitions for diphtheria

diphtheria
/ (dɪpˈθɪərɪə, dɪf-) /

noun

an acute contagious disease caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae, producing fever, severe prostration, and difficulty in breathing and swallowing as the result of swelling of the throat and formation of a false membrane

Derived forms of diphtheria

diphtherial, diphtheritic (ˌdɪpθəˈrɪtɪk, dɪf-) or diphtheric (dɪpˈθɛrɪk, dɪf-), adjective diphtheroid, adjective

Word Origin for diphtheria

C19: New Latin, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphthera leather; from the nature of the membrane

Medical definitions for diphtheria

diphtheria
[ dĭf-thîr′ē-ə, dĭp- ]

n.

An acute infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and characterized by the production of a systemic toxin and the formation of a false membrane on the lining of the mucous membrane of the throat and other respiratory passages, causing difficulty in breathing, high fever, and weakness. The toxin is particularly harmful to the tissues of the heart and central nervous system.

Other words from diphtheria

diph′the•rit′ic (-thə-rĭt′ĭk) null null adj.

Scientific definitions for diphtheria

diphtheria
[ dĭf-thîr′ē-ə, dĭp- ]

An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae and characterized by fever, swollen glands, and the formation of a membrane in the throat that prevents breathing. Infants are routinely vaccinated against diphtheria, which was once a common cause of death in children.

Cultural definitions for diphtheria

diphtheria
[ (dif-theer-ee-uh, dip-theer-ee-uh) ]

An acute disease, and a contagious disease, caused by bacteria that invade mucous membranes in the body, especially those found in the throat. The bacteria produce toxic substances that can spread throughout the body.

notes for diphtheria

In developed countries, diphtheria has been virtually wiped out through an active program of infant immunization.