First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
diarrhea
noun di·ar·rhea \ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə\
medical : an illness that causes you to pass waste from your body very frequently and in liquid rather than solid form
Full Definition of DIARRHEA
1
: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools
2
: excessive flow <verbal diarrhea>
— di·ar·rhe·al \-ˈrē-əl\ adjective
— di·ar·rhe·ic \-ˈrē-ik\ adjective
— di·ar·rhet·ic \-ˈre-tik\ adjective
See diarrhea defined for English-language learners
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Origin of DIARRHEA
Middle English diaria, from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Greek diarrhoia, from diarrhein to flow through, from dia- + rhein to flow — more at stream
Related to DIARRHEA
- Synonyms
- Delhi belly, flux, Montezuma's revenge, runs, trots, turista
DIARRHEA Defined for Kids
diarrhea
noun di·ar·rhea \ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə\
Definition of DIARRHEA for Kids
: abnormally frequent and watery bowel movements
Medical Dictionary
diarrhea
noun di·ar·rhea
Medical Definition of DIARRHEA
: abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools
Variants of DIARRHEA
di·ar·rhea or chiefly British di·ar·rhoea \ˌdī-ə-ˈrē-ə\
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