disease
English meaning: Disease
Definition
A particular abnormal condition that harms the body, often with a known cause.
Example
“Vaccination has greatly reduced the spread of many dangerous childhood diseases.”
Another example: “Vaccination programmes have nearly wiped out several deadly diseases.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A more formal and specific term than 'illness', typically naming a defined condition with a known cause ('heart disease', 'an infectious disease'). Common in medicine, science, and public health. Often used in compounds.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'desaise', meaning lack of ease.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- heart disease
- infectious disease
- chronic disease
- spread of disease
- cure a disease
Word Forms
disease (n); diseases (pl); diseased (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B