cholera

American  

[kol-er-uh] / ˈkɒl ər ə /

noun

1. Also called Asiatic cholera.  Pathology. an acute, infectious disease, endemic in India and China and occasionally epidemic elsewhere, characterized by profuse diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, etc.

2. Veterinary Pathology. any of several diseases of domesticated animals that are characterized by depression, sleepiness, lack of appetite, and diarrhea.

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cholera British  

/ ˈkɒlərə /

noun

1. Also called: Asiatic cholera.   epidemic cholera.   Indian cholera.  an acute intestinal infection characterized by severe diarrhoea, cramp, etc: caused by ingestion of water or food contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio comma

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cholera Scientific  

/ kŏl′ər-ə /

1. An infectious, sometimes fatal disease of the small intestine caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is spread from contaminated water and food and causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.

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cholera Cultural  

1. An acute disease, and an infectious disease, caused by a kind of bacterium that affects the intestines. Transmitted by food or water that has been contaminated with raw sewage, cholera is often fatal and is characterized by severe vomiting, diarrhea, and collapse.

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Other Word Forms

• choleraic adjective
• choleroid adjective

Etymology

Origin of cholera

First recorded in 1600–05 in sense “gastrointestinal disease” and in 1800–05 for its current meaning cholera ( def. 1 ); from Latin: “disease caused by bile,” from Greek choléra; choler

Example Sentences

They’re often to be found in the midst of an Ebola, cholera or severe malaria outbreak.

From MarketWatch

The charity has warned of the risk of the "spread of epidemic diseases such as cholera and measles, and a catastrophic increase of malaria cases" among vulnerable people.

From BBC

The U.S.-funded cholera clinics and other programs were necessary given the “explosivity” of the illness’ spread, he wrote.

From Salon

“It contributes to ill health, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, water-related diseases, and it contributes to conflicts over water.”

From Los Angeles Times

The project was never completed, and a subsequent cholera outbreak in the area killed at least 20 people.

From The Wall Street Journal