English

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Etymology

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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

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mort de chien (uncountable)

  1. (archaic) Cholera.