Dictionary.com

catarrh

[ kuh-tahr ]
/ kəˈtɑr /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for catarrh on Thesaurus.com
noun
Pathology. inflammation of a mucous membrane, especially of the respiratory tract, accompanied by excessive secretions.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of catarrh

1350–1400; Middle English <Late Latin catarrhus<Greek katárrous literally, down-flowing, equivalent to katarr(eîn) to flow down (kata-cata- + rheîn to flow) + -ous, variant of -eos (theme vowel + adj. suffix)

OTHER WORDS FROM catarrh

ca·tarrh·al, ca·tarrh·ous, adjectiveca·tarrh·al·ly, adverbnon·ca·tar·rhal, adjectivepost·ca·tarrh·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to catarrh

cold, coryza

How to use catarrh in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for catarrh

catarrh
/ (kəˈtɑː) /
noun
inflammation of a mucous membrane with increased production of mucus, esp affecting the nose and throat in the common cold
the mucus so formed

Derived forms of catarrh

catarrhal or catarrhous, adjective

Word Origin for catarrh

C16: via French from Late Latin catarrhus, from Greek katarrous, from katarrhein to flow down, from kata- down + rhein to flow
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
FEEDBACK