antidiphtherial
|an-ti-diph-the-ri-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.dɪfˈθɪri.əl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.dɪfˈθɪə.ri.əl/
against diphtheria
Etymology
'antidiphtherial' originates from New Latin/modern formation, built from the prefix 'anti-' (meaning 'against') + 'diphtheria' (the disease name) + the adjectival suffix '-al'.
'diphtheria' itself comes from Greek 'diphthēra' (διφθέρα) meaning 'leather' (referring to the leathery membrane in the throat); the modern English 'diphtheria' was formed via Latin/Neo-Latin use, and in the 19th century compounds such as 'antidiphtherial' arose after the development of diphtheria antitoxins.
Initially, formed to denote agents or measures 'against diphtheria' (especially antitoxins and serums), the word has retained that specialized medical sense in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance or preparation used to prevent or treat diphtheria (an antidiphtherial remedy or serum).
During the outbreak, several antidiphtherials were administered to exposed children.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
having the property of preventing or curing diphtheria; relating to or containing an agent (such as antitoxin) effective against diphtheria.
The clinic kept an antidiphtherial serum on hand for emergency treatment.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/24 23:29