asthma
[ az-muh, as- ]
/ ˈæz mə, ˈæs- /
noun
Pathology. a paroxysmal, often allergic disorder of respiration, characterized by bronchospasm, wheezing, and difficulty in expiration, often accompanied by coughing and a feeling of constriction in the chest.
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Also called bronchial asthma.
Origin of asthma
1350–1400; Middle English <Greek: a panting (akin to aázein to breathe hard); replacing Middle English asma<Medieval Latin <Greek ásthma
Words nearby asthma
asthenia, asthenic, asthenopia, asthenospermia, asthenosphere, asthma, asthmatic, as though, Asti, astigmatic, astigmatic lens
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for asthma
British Dictionary definitions for asthma
asthma
/ (ˈæsmə) /
noun
a respiratory disorder, often of allergic origin, characterized by difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and a sense of constriction in the chest
Word Origin for asthma
C14: from Greek: laborious breathing, from azein to breathe hard
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for asthma
asthma
[ ăz′mə, ăs′- ]
n.
Bronchial asthma.
Other words from asthma
asth•mat′ic (-măt′ĭk) adj. n.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for asthma
asthma
[ ăz′mə ]
A common inflammatory disease of the lungs characterized by episodic airway obstruction caused by extensive narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles. The narrowing is caused by spasm of smooth muscle, edema of the mucosa, and the presence of mucus in the airway resulting from an immunologic reaction that can be induced by allergies, irritants, infection, stress, and other factors in a genetically predisposed individual. Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for asthma
asthma
[ (az-muh) ]
A chronic disease of the respiratory system, characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of difficult breathing, wheezing, and coughing. During an attack, the bronchial tubes go into spasms, becoming narrower and less able to move air into the lungs. Various substances to which the sufferer has an allergy, such as animal hair, dust, pollen, or certain foods, can trigger an attack.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.