anti-aphthous
|an-ti-aph-thous|
/ˌæntiˈæfθəs/
against mouth ulcers
Etymology
'anti-aphthous' originates from the combining form 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti', meaning 'against') and the adjective 'aphthous' (from Greek 'aphtha', meaning 'ulcer or eruption').
'aphthous' derives from Greek ἀφθα (aphtha) via Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'aphtha' and was adopted into English medical usage as 'aphthous'; the compound 'anti-aphthous' was formed in modern English by prefixing 'anti-' to 'aphthous'.
Initially related to the noun 'aphtha' meaning 'ulcer/eruption', 'aphthous' came to mean 'relating to mouth ulcers', and 'anti-aphthous' subsequently developed the meaning 'acting against or preventing aphthae (mouth ulcers)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
preventing, relieving, or acting against aphthae (mouth ulcers); used to describe agents or treatments that prevent or heal aphthous ulcers.
The clinic recommended an anti-aphthous mouthwash to reduce the frequency of painful ulcers.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/15 14:20