diphtheria

[dif-theer-ee-uh, dip-] /dɪfˈθɪər i ə, dɪp-/
noun, Pathology
1.
a febrile, infectious disease caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and characterized by the formation of a false membrane in the air passages, especially the throat.
Origin
1850-55; < Neo-Latin < French diphthérie < Greek diphthér(a) skin, leather + -ia -ia
Examples from the web for diphtheria
  • He has survived diphtheria, a gangrenous foot, and an appendix that ruptured while he was hunting.
  • The fact was emphasized by the occurrence here and there of a few isolated deaths from diphtheria and scarlet fever.
  • Infants now routinely receive a combined pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus vaccine.
  • Think back to when smallpox, diphtheria, polio etc were real scourges.
  • Crystal structure of the complex of diphtheria toxin with an extracellular fragment of its receptor.
  • The mice built up blood antibodies against both diphtheria and tetanus.
British Dictionary definitions for diphtheria

diphtheria

/dɪpˈθɪərɪə; dɪf-/
noun
1.
an acute contagious disease caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae, producing fever, severe prostration, and difficulty in breathing and swallowing as the result of swelling of the throat and formation of a false membrane
Derived Forms
diphtherial, diphtheritic (ˌdɪpθəˈrɪtɪk; dɪf-), diphtheric (dɪpˈθɛrɪk; dɪf-) adjective
diphtheroid, adjective
Word Origin
C19: New Latin, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphthera leather; from the nature of the membrane
Word Origin and History for diphtheria
n.

from French diphthérie, coined 1857 by physician Pierre Bretonneau (1778-1862) from Greek diphthera "prepared hide, leather," of unknown origin; the disease so called for the tough membrane that forms in the throat. Bretonneau's earlier name for it was diphthérite, anglicized as diphtheritis (1826). Formerly known in England as the Boulogne sore throat, because it spread from France.

diphtheria in Medicine

diphtheria diph·the·ri·a (dĭf-thēr'ē-ə, dĭp-)
n.
An acute infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and characterized by the production of a systemic toxin and the formation of a false membrane on the lining of the mucous membrane of the throat and other respiratory passages, causing difficulty in breathing, high fever, and weakness. The toxin is particularly harmful to the tissues of the heart and central nervous system.

diph'the·rit'ic (-thə-rĭt'ĭk) or diph·ther'ic (-thěr'ĭk) or diph·the'ri·al adj.
diphtheria in Science
diphtheria
  (dĭf-thîr'ē-ə, dĭp-)   
An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae and characterized by fever, swollen glands, and the formation of a membrane in the throat that prevents breathing. Infants are routinely vaccinated against diphtheria, which was once a common cause of death in children.
diphtheria in Culture
diphtheria [(dif-theer-ee-uh, dip-theer-ee-uh)]

An acute disease, and a contagious disease, caused by bacteria that invade mucous membranes in the body, especially those found in the throat. The bacteria produce toxic substances that can spread throughout the body.

Note: In developed countries, diphtheria has been virtually wiped out through an active program of infant immunization.