diphtheria
|diph-ther-i-a|
🇺🇸
/dɪfˈθɪriə/
🇬🇧
/dɪfˈθɪəriə/
leathery throat membrane (disease)
Etymology
'diphtheria' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'diphthera', where 'diphthera' meant 'leather'.
'diphtheria' changed from Greek 'diphthera' to Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'diphtheria' and then entered English as 'diphtheria' via New Latin and medical usage.
Initially, it referred to a 'leathery (or leather-like) membrane'; over time the term came to denote the disease characterized by that membrane.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an acute, highly contagious bacterial disease (caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae) characterized by sore throat, fever, and the formation of a thick, leathery pseudomembrane in the throat that can obstruct breathing; potentially fatal if untreated.
Diphtheria can be prevented by vaccination.
Last updated: 2025/10/24 23:39