mort de chien

English edit

Etymology edit

A fanciful French corruption ("mort de chien" = "dog's death") of Portuguese mordexim.

This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “The Portuguese word again represents the Konkani and Marathi moḍachī, moḍshī, or moḍwashī, 'cholera', from a Marathi verb moḍnen, 'to break up, to sink' (as under infirmities, in fact 'to collapse').”

Noun edit

mort de chien (uncountable)

(archaic) Cholera.