phthisis

English

Etymology

From Latin phthisis, from Ancient Greek φθίσις (phthisis, “consumption, decline, wasting away”), from φθίω (phthiō, “I waste away”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈfθʌɪsɪs/, IPA: /ˈθʌɪsɪs/, IPA: /ˈtʌɪsɪs/

Noun

phthisis (plural phthises)

1. (archaic) An atrophy of the body or part of the body, especially pulmonary tuberculosis.
   • 1985, Anthony Burgess, Kingdom of the Wicked:

     Tired from his journey and his chronic lung weakness, which he had saved from turning to phthisis by winter sojourns in Egypt, he was yet goodhumoured enough when his deputy reported the arrival of a gang of Jews who wanted judgment on something or someone.

Translations

phthisis

• Slovak: suchotiny (sk) f pl

Related terms

• phthisic