bronchitis

American  

[brong-kahy-tis] / brɒŋˈkaɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining of the bronchial tubes, caused by respiratory infection or exposure to bronchial irritants, as cigarette smoke.

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bronchitis British  

/ brɒŋˈkɪtɪk, brɒŋˈkaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the bronchial tubes, characterized by coughing, difficulty in breathing, etc, caused by infection or irritation of the respiratory tract

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bronchitis Scientific  

/ brŏng-kī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes, often as a result of a cold or other viral infection. Smoking is also a common cause of chronic bronchitis.

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Other Word Forms

• bronchitic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of bronchitis

From New Latin, dating back to 1812; see origin at bronch-, -itis

Compare meaning

How does bronchitis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• laryngitis vs. bronchitis

Example Sentences

Bronchitis had taken her voice, but I knew heartbreak had left her unable to speak my name without crying.

From New York Times • Oct. 16, 2018

This was Mom’s medical condition when I got the call from the nursing home doctor: Bronchitis, the chronic obstructive lung disease getting worse, shortness of breath, and of course her longstanding heart disease and diabetes.

From New York Times • Feb. 27, 2018

Tickets here http://bit.ly/94N5uq about 8 hours, 58 minutes ago Follow @GdnPolitics on Twitter Health: best treatments Read information about the best treatments for 180 common conditions, including: Bronchitis, High cholesterol, High blood pressure.

From The Guardian • Mar. 19, 2010

Bronchitis, by definition, is inflammation and consequent obstruction of the branches of the windpipe.

From Time Magazine Archive

Not even a second goes by and my screen lights up with his reply: Bronchitis.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott