flu

[floo] /flu/

noun

influenza.

a specific variety of influenza, usually named for its point of dissemination or its animal vector:

Hong Kong flu; swine flu.

Origin of flu

1830-40; shortened form

Can be confused

flew, flu, flue.

Examples from the web for flu

The flu is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs.
Your best defense is to wash your hands often, especially during cold and flu season.
These could provide a three-month head start in making seasonal flu vaccines.
Vaccines being made to protect people from swine flu may not be so healthy for threatened species of sharks.
The flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by an influenza virus.
Journalists serve the public with their daily reports about our studies of flu vaccines and voting patterns and hominid fossils.
In fact, a pandemic of mild flu ought to be easier to control than several local epidemics as occur every year.
Why the flu is worse in winter than summer has long baffled scientists.
The deadliest flu strain in history has been resurrected.
Here's a well-reasoned explanation as to why one reasonably smart and well-informed family won't be getting flu shots this year.

British Dictionary definitions for flu

flu

/fluː/

noun (informal)

the flu, short for influenza

any of various viral infections, esp a respiratory or intestinal infection

Word Origin and History for flu

1839, flue, shortening of influenza. Spelling flu attested from 1893. For choice of middle syllable, not a common method of shortening in English, Weekley compares tec for detective, scrip for subscription.

flu in Medicine

flu (flōō)
n.
Influenza.

flu in Science

flu

(fl)
See influenza.

Related Abbreviations for flu

flu

influenza