diph·the·ri·a (d f-thîr  - , dp-)n. An acute infectious disease caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae, 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. [New Latin diphth ria, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphther , piece of hide, leather; see letter.]diph  the·ritic (-th-rtk), diph·theric (-th rk), diph·theri·al adj. |
diphtheria [dɪpˈθɪərɪə dɪf-]
n
(Medicine / Pathology) 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
[New Latin, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphthera leather; from the nature of the membrane]
diphtherial , diphtheritic [ˌdɪpθəˈrɪtɪk dɪf-], diphtheric [dɪpˈθɛrɪk dɪf-] adj
diphtheroid adj
| diphtheria (df-thîr-, dp-) 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. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  diphtheria - acute contagious infection caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae; marked by the formation of a false membrane in the throat and other air passages causing difficulty in breathingcontagion, contagious disease - any disease easily transmitted by contact |
Translations
diphtheria
n → Diphtherie f
n diphtheria [difˈθiəriə]
an infectious disease of the throat. witseerkeel خُناق (غِشائي) дифтерит záškrt difteritis die Diphtherie διφθερίτιδα difteria difteeria دیفتری؛ حناق kurkkumätä diphtérie דִיפתֶריָה डिप्थीरिया difterija torokgyík barnaveiki difterite ジフテリア 디프테리아 difteritas difterija penyakit radang kerongkong difterie difteri dyfteryt difteria difterie дифтерия záškrt davica difterija difteri โรคคอตีบ difteri, kuşpalazı 白喉(症) дифтерит, дифтерія خنّاق bệnh bạch hầu 白喉（症）
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