diathesis

di·ath·e·sis  (d-th-ss)

n. pl. di·ath·e·ses (-sz)

1. A hereditary predisposition of the body to a disease, a group of diseases, an allergy, or another disorder.

2. Grammar See voice.

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[Greek, disposition, condition, from diatithenai, diathe-, to dispose : dia-, dia- + tithenai, to place, set; see dh- in Indo-European roots.]

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dia·thetic (d-thtk) adj.

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diathesis

a susceptibility to a certain disease. — diathetic, adj.

See also: Disease and Illness

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

diathesis - constitutional predisposition to a particular disease or abnormality predisposition, sensitivity - susceptibility to a pathogen