Langimage
English

influenza

|in/flu/en/za|

B2

/ˌɪnfluˈɛnzə/

viral infection

Etymology
Etymology Information

'influenza' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'influenza,' where 'influenza' meant 'influence,' referring to the influence of the stars on human health.

Historical Evolution

'influenza' changed from the Italian word 'influenza' and eventually became the modern English word 'influenza'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'influence of the stars,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a viral infection.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh, and often occurring in epidemics.

Influenza spreads rapidly during the winter months.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/30 17:25