diarrhea
or di·ar·rhoe·a
[dahy-uh-ree-uh]
- an intestinal disorder characterized by abnormal frequency and fluidity of fecal evacuations.
Show More
Origin of diarrhea
1350–1400; Middle English diaria < Late Latin diarrhoea < Greek diárrhoia a flowing through, equivalent to diarrho- (variant stem of diarrheîn to flow through) + -ia -ia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for diarrhea
Contemporary Examples
Within six days, however, the infant was admitted to a pediatric hospital with diarrhea, bluish skin, and respiratory failure.
For children on the brink of severe malnutrition, diarrhea can be the trigger that pushes them over the edge.
With less than a dozen toilets in the entire community, poor sanitation fuels high rates of malaria and lethal cases of diarrhea.
If you continue to have diarrhea or explosive gas, you do need to see your practitioner.
But we are not talking about treating children with diarrhea here.
Historical Examples
There are usually just two reasons for diarrhea—uncleanliness and bad milk.
The Mother and Her ChildWilliam S. Sadler
Daily evacuations will not empty this cavity, nor will cathartics or diarrhea.
Intestinal IllsAlcinous Burton Jamison
After this the astringents spoken of for diarrhea may be given.
Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States Department of Agriculture
In from 36 to 40 hours the constipation is followed by diarrhea.
Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States Department of Agriculture
Summer diarrhea of children is also transmitted in this way.
The Eugenic Marriage, Volume IV. (of IV.)Grant Hague
Word Origin and History for diarrhea
n.
late 14c., from Old French diarrie, from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Greek diarrhoia "diarrhea" (coined by Hippocrates), literally "a flowing through," from diarrhein "to flow through," from dia- "through" (see dia-) + rhein "to flow" (see rheum). Respelled 16c. from diarria on Latin model.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
diarrhea
- Excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
diarrhea
[dī′ə-rē′ə]
- Excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces, usually a symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder. Severe, prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
diarrhea
[(deye-uh-ree-uh)]
The frequent passage of abnormally watery feces, which is a sign of illness.
Show More
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.