Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

bronchitis

[brong-kahy-tis]
See more synonyms for bronchitis on Thesaurus.com
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.
Show More

Origin of bronchitis

From New Latin, dating back to 1812; see origin at bronch-, -itis
Related formsbron·chit·ic [brong-kit-ik] /brɒŋˈkɪt ɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for bronchitis

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Miss Matthews' cold proved to be bronchitis, and Bettina insisted on nursing her.

    Glory of Youth

    Temple Bailey

  • The former may follow an attack of bronchitis, or it may have a spontaneous origin.

  • Do you want to be laid up with bronchitis or congestion of the lungs?

  • Her cough seems so much worse, I fear it will turn to bronchitis.

    We Two

    Edna Lyall

  • A bronchitis tent should be quickly improvised so that the child can be "steamed."

    The Mother and Her Child

    William S. Sadler

British Dictionary definitions for bronchitis

bronchitis

noun
  1. inflammation of the bronchial tubes, characterized by coughing, difficulty in breathing, etc, caused by infection or irritation of the respiratory tract
Show More
Derived Formsbronchitic (brɒŋˈkɪtɪk), adjective, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bronchitis

n.

coined in Modern Latin 1808 by Charles Bedham, from bronchia "the bronchial tubes" (plural; see bronchial) + -itis.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
bronchitis in Medicine

bronchitis

(brŏn-kī′tĭs, brŏng-)
n.
  1. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes.
Show More
Related formsbron•chit′ic (-kĭt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
bronchitis in Science

bronchitis

[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.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.