diarrhea

or di·ar·rhoe·a

[dahy-uh-ree-uh]

See more synonyms for diarrhea on Thesaurus.com

noun Pathology.

an intestinal disorder characterized by abnormal frequency and fluidity of fecal evacuations.

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

Related formsdi·ar·rhe·al, di·ar·rhe·ic, di·ar·rhet·ic

[dahy-uh-ret-ik] /ˌdaɪ əˈrɛt ɪk/, di·ar·rhoe·al, di·ar·rhoe·ic, di·ar·rhoet·ic, adjectivean·ti·di·ar·rhe·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for diarrhea

flux, dysentery

Examples from the Web for diarrhea

Contemporary Examples of diarrhea

Within six days, however, the infant was admitted to a pediatric hospital with diarrhea, bluish skin, and respiratory failure.
Are Water Births Toxic to Babies?
Brandy Zadrozny
December 12, 2014
For children on the brink of severe malnutrition, diarrhea can be the trigger that pushes them over the edge.
‘There was no food, no more water lilies’
Crystal Wells
October 31, 2014
With less than a dozen toilets in the entire community, poor sanitation fuels high rates of malaria and lethal cases of diarrhea.
Meet the Liberian Girls Beating Ebola
Abby Haglage
October 29, 2014
If you continue to have diarrhea or explosive gas, you do need to see your practitioner.
Could Eating Charcoal Help You Detox?
DailyBurn
September 20, 2014
But we are not talking about treating children with diarrhea here.
You Probably Shouldn’t Try to Lose 20 Pounds by Eating Clay
Kent Sepkowitz
June 24, 2014

Historical Examples of diarrhea

There are usually just two reasons for diarrhea—uncleanliness and bad milk.
The Mother and Her Child
William S. Sadler
Daily evacuations will not empty this cavity, nor will cathartics or diarrhea.
Intestinal Ills
Alcinous Burton Jamison
After this the astringents spoken of for diarrhea may be given.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States Department of Agriculture
In from 36 to 40 hours the constipation is followed by diarrhea.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United 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

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.

diarrhea in Medicine

diarrhea

Excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces.

Related formsdi′ar•rhe′al null null adj.

diarrhea in Science

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.

diarrhea in Culture

diarrhea

[(deye-uh-ree-uh)]

The frequent passage of abnormally watery feces, which is a sign of illness.