diathesis

American  

[dahy-ath-uh-sis] / daɪˈæθ ə sɪs /

noun

plural

diatheses

1. Pathology. a constitutional predisposition or tendency, as to a particular disease or other abnormal state of the body or mind.

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diathesis British  

/ ˌdaɪəˈθɛtɪk, daɪˈæθɪsɪs /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• diathetic adjective

Etymology

Origin of diathesis

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

Example Sentences

In this model, diathesis represents an individual's genetic predilections; which are mightily affected by other factors, often stress-inducing, in the individual's environment.

From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2017

The susceptibility occurs in fact mainly where there exists what used to be called a “strumous” diathesis.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various

This diathesis is produced by those agencies which deprave the blood and waste vitality.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 11, No. 68, June, 1863 by Various

Gout also exemplifies another important fact—viz. the occasional modification of the transmitted morbid tendency or "diathesis."

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Simple bleeding from the nose, not associated with the hemorrhagic diathesis, is not an uncommon accompaniment of the prodromal stage, and is rarely a dangerous symptom—rather the contrary.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various