First Known Use: circa 1851
Dictionary
diphtheria
noun diph·the·ria \dif-ˈthir-ē-ə, ÷dip-\
medical : a serious disease that makes breathing very difficult
Full Definition of DIPHTHERIA
: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a gram-positive bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) that produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system
— diph·the·ri·al \-ē-əl\ adjective
— diph·the·rit·ic \ˌdif-thə-ˈri-tik, ÷ˌdip-\ adjective
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Origin of DIPHTHERIA
New Latin, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphthera leather; from the toughness of the false membrane
DIPHTHERITIC Defined for Kids
diphtheria
noun diph·the·ria \dif-ˈthir-ē-ə, dip-\
Definition of DIPHTHERIA for Kids
: a contagious disease that often makes breathing and swallowing difficult
Medical Dictionary
diphtheria
noun diph·the·ria \dif-ˈthir-ē-ə, dip-\
Medical Definition of DIPHTHERIA
: an acute febrile contagious disease typically marked by the formation of a false membrane especially in the throat and caused by a bacterium of the genus Corynebacterium (C. diphtheriae) which produces a toxin causing inflammation of the heart and nervous system
—diph·the·ri·al \-ē-əl\ adjective
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