croup

¹ American  

[kroop] / krup /

noun

Pathology.

1. any condition of the larynx or trachea characterized by a hoarse cough and difficult breathing.

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croup ² American  

[kroop] / krup /

noun

1. the highest part of the rump of a quadruped, especially a horse.

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croup ¹ British  

/ kruːp /

noun

1. the hindquarters of a quadruped, esp a horse

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croup ² British  

/ kruːp /

noun

1. a throat condition, occurring usually in children, characterized by a hoarse cough and laboured breathing, resulting from inflammation and partial obstruction of the larynx

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croup Scientific  

/ kro̅o̅p /

1. An acute infection that affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts, especially the larynx, trachea, and bronchi, and is caused most commonly by viruses of the genus Paramyxovirus. It is characterized by labored breathing and obstruction below the glottis, accompanied by a barking cough.

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Other Word Forms

• croupous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of croup¹

First recorded in 1755–65; noun use of croup “to cry hoarsely” (now dialectal), blend of croak and whoop

Origin of croup²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English croupe, from Middle French, Anglo-French crupe, Old French crope, from Germanic; see crop

Example Sentences

Croup is typically triggered by infection with a virus such as parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus—and now, it appears, SARS-CoV-2.

From Scientific American • Feb. 3, 2022

Croup, convulsions and certain accidents bring me on the double.

From Time Magazine Archive

Croup is an enemy that lives to fight another day, as Dr. Marigold said when he paid his last visit; and that word was sufficient for the Musks.

From Peccavi by Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William)

The next morning when Mr. Burke appeared to accompany the ladies to the yacht, he found Willy Croup alone in their parlor.

From Mrs. Cliff's Yacht by Stockton, Frank Richard

Croup, krōōp, n. the rump of a horse: the place behind the saddle.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Related Words

• cold