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diathesis

[ dahy-ath-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural di·ath·e·ses [dahy-, ath, -, uh, -seez].
  1. Pathology. a constitutional predisposition or tendency, as to a particular disease or other abnormal state of the body or mind.


diathesis

/ ˌdaɪəˈθɛtɪk; daɪˈæθɪsɪs /

noun

  1. a hereditary or acquired susceptibility of the body to one or more diseases
“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


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Derived Forms

  • diathetic, adjective
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Other Words From

  • di·a·thet·ic [dahy-, uh, -, thet, -ik], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of diathesis1

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek diáthesis arrangement, disposition. See dia-, thesis
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Word History and Origins

Origin of diathesis1

C17: New Latin, from Greek: propensity, from diatithenai to dispose, from dia- + tithenai to place
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Example Sentences

An increase is also noted in the uric-acid diathesis and in diseases accompanied by respiratory insufficiency.

This lymphatic diathesis undoubtedly has considerable to do with the sudden deaths which occur in these patients.

After reading de Mussy's argument for the dependence of hay fever on a gouty diathesis, I turned first to the English books.

Call the old tubercular diathesis a sensitization and you have made it the most modern of modern discoveries.

With these holiday and lady terms, are we not trying to describe what our ancestors knew as diathesis?

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