diphtheria

[dif-theer-ee-uh, dip-]

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.

diphtheria

/ dɪf-, dɪf-, dɪpˈθɪərɪə, ˌdɪpθəˈrɪtɪk, dɪpˈθɛrɪk, 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

diphtheria

1. 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

1. 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.

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

Other Word Forms

• diphtherial adjective
• diphtheroid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diphtheria¹

1850–55; < New Latin < French diphthérie < Greek diphthér ( a ) skin, leather + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of diphtheria¹

C19: New Latin, from French diphthérie, from Greek diphthera leather; from the nature of the membrane

Example Sentences

Back then, pharmaceutical companies faced hundreds of lawsuits alleging that the vaccine protecting kids from whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus caused unrelenting seizures that led to severe disabilities.

From Salon

As early as 2 months old, babies get the first in a series of DTaP shots, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus.

From Los Angeles Times

Other vaccine-preventable diseases would also probably pop up in the coming quarter-century — 190 cases of rubella, 18 of poliomyelitis, eight of diphtheria, according to the Stanford team’s models.

From Los Angeles Times

The school requires students in seventh grade and above to get their Tdap booster, which provides elevated immunity against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, or whooping cough.

From Los Angeles Times

Then in the 1970s the diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough jab was linked to brain injury in children, before later being found safe.

From BBC