croup

¹ American  

[kroop] / krup /

noun

Pathology.

1. any condition of the larynx or trachea characterized by a hoarse cough and difficult breathing.

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croup ² American  

[kroop] / krup /

noun

1. the highest part of the rump of a quadruped, especially a horse.

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croup ¹ British  

/ kruːp /

noun

1. a throat condition, occurring usually in children, characterized by a hoarse cough and laboured breathing, resulting from inflammation and partial obstruction of the larynx

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croup ² British  

/ kruːp /

noun

1. the hindquarters of a quadruped, esp a horse

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croup Scientific  

/ kro̅o̅p /

1. An acute infection that affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts, especially the larynx, trachea, and bronchi, and is caused most commonly by viruses of the genus Paramyxovirus. It is characterized by labored breathing and obstruction below the glottis, accompanied by a barking cough.

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Other Word Forms

• croupous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of croup¹

First recorded in 1755–65; noun use of croup “to cry hoarsely” (now dialectal), blend of croak and whoop

Origin of croup²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English croupe, from Middle French, Anglo-French crupe, Old French crope, from Germanic; see crop

Example Sentences

Croup is typically triggered by infection with a virus such as parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus—and now, it appears, SARS-CoV-2.

From Scientific American • Feb. 3, 2022

Croup, convulsions and certain accidents bring me on the double.

From Time Magazine Archive

In less than a minute Mr. Burke stood before Willy Croup in the little parlor.

From Mrs. Cliff's Yacht by Stockton, Frank Richard

Miss Croup," said Mr. Litchfield, his hand upon her shoulder, "that will do!

From Mrs. Cliff's Yacht by Stockton, Frank Richard

Otherwise, why should he be paying attention to Willy Croup, who, as everybody knew, was not a day under forty-five years old, and therefore at least ten years older than the gentleman at the hotel.

From Mrs. Cliff's Yacht by Stockton, Frank Richard

Related Words

• cold