'pleuritic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'pleura', where 'pleura' meant 'side'. The adjectival suffix '-itic' comes via Greek '-itikos' (through Latin/Neo-Latin) meaning 'pertaining to (inflammation)'.

'pleuritic' changed from Late/Medieval Latin 'pleuriticus' (from Greek 'pleuritis'/'pleura') and passed through Modern Latin and French medical forms before being adopted into English as 'pleuritic'.

Initially it meant 'pertaining to the pleura' (the side or membrane), but over time it has come to be used specifically for conditions involving inflammation of the pleura (pleurisy) and the characteristic sharp chest pain associated with it.