tonsillitis
|ton-sil-i-tis|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌtɑːnsɪˈlaɪtɪs/
🇬🇧
/ˌtɒnsɪˈlaɪtɪs/
inflammation of the tonsils
Etymology
Etymology Information
'tonsillitis' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'tonsillae' meaning 'tonsils' and the suffix '-itis' meaning 'inflammation.'
Historical Evolution
'tonsillitis' was formed in the 19th century from the combination of 'tonsilla' and '-itis,' and has been used in medical English since then.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'inflammation of the tonsils,' and this meaning has remained unchanged in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
inflammation of the tonsils, typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
The doctor diagnosed her with tonsillitis after examining her throat.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/04 01:12