diabetes

[dahy-uh-bee-tis, -teez]

noun

Pathology.

1. any of several disorders characterized by increased urine production.

2. Also called diabetes mellitus. a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, usually occurring in genetically predisposed individuals, characterized by inadequate production or utilization of insulin and resulting in excessive amounts of glucose in the blood and urine, excessive thirst, weight loss, and in some cases progressive destruction of small blood vessels leading to such complications as infections and gangrene of the limbs or blindness.

3. type 1 diabetes.

4. type 2 diabetes.

5. Also called diabetes insipidus. increased urine production caused by inadequate secretion of vasopressin by the pituitary gland.

diabetes

/ -tiːz, ˌdaɪəˈbiːtɪs /

noun

1. any of various disorders, esp diabetes mellitus, characterized by excretion of an abnormally large amount of urine

Word History and Origins

Origin of diabetes¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from New Latin, Latin, from Greek, equivalent to diabē- (variant stem of diabaínein “to go through, pass over,” equivalent to dia- “through” + baínein “to pass”) + -tēs agent suffix; dia-

Word History and Origins

Origin of diabetes¹

C16: from Latin: siphon, from Greek, literally: a passing through (referring to the excessive urination), from diabainein to pass through, cross over; see _diabase

Example Sentences

But it means many people with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory illneses, asthma and severe mental illness will no longer qualify.

From BBC

He was diagnosed with diabetes over 20 years ago, and today, he gets healthcare through Covered California.

From Los Angeles Times

There's this much reported case of a woman who suffered from convulsions after taking a medicine for diabetes which had a similar sounding name to an analgesic she had been prescribed.

From BBC

Men with diabetes or psychiatric conditions who arrived late last month complained they couldn’t get their medication.

From Los Angeles Times

But quietly, in certain circles, this injectable drug, which is licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, was being prescribed privately and off-label for weight loss.

From BBC