antiaphthic
|an-ti-aph-thic|
C2
/ˌæn.tiˈæf.θɪk/
against mouth ulcers
Etymology
Etymology Information
'antiaphthic' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'anti-' and 'aphtha', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'aphtha' meant 'eruption' or 'ulcer'.
Historical Evolution
'antiaphthic' passed into New Latin/medical Latin (e.g. 'antiaphthicus') and then into English as 'antiaphthic' in medical usage.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'against aphthae', and over time it retained that specialized medical meaning as 'preventing or curing mouth ulcers'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
preventing or curing aphthae (mouth ulcers); having properties that soothe or heal aphthous lesions.
The ointment has antiaphthic properties that help heal mouth ulcers.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/27 11:46