aphthous
|aph-thous|
/ˈæfθəs/
relating to small ulcers (aphthae)
Etymology
'aphthous' originates from Greek 'aphthē' (ἀφθὴ), via New Latin/Modern medical Latin 'aphtha', where 'aphthē' meant 'a sore or ulcer'.
'aphthous' changed from the Greek word 'aphthē' to Latin/New Latin 'aphtha' and later formed the English adjective 'aphthous' in medical usage.
Initially it referred directly to the 'sore' or 'ulcer' itself (aphthē/aphtha), and over time the adjective 'aphthous' came to mean 'pertaining to or characterized by such sores', which remains its modern meaning.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characterized by aphthae (small, painful ulcers), especially in the mouth (e.g., aphthous ulcers).
He was treated for aphthous ulcers that made eating painful.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/17 09:40