diathesis

American  

[dahy-ath-uh-sis] / daɪˈæθ ə sɪs /

noun

diatheses plural

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

---

diathesis British  

/ ˌdaɪəˈθɛtɪk, daɪˈæθɪsɪs /

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• diathetic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• diatheses
  plural

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

If, now, we except the eccentricities of Brown, comprising his system, founded on the sthenic and asthenic diathesis, we find little interruption to the general prevalence of the Cullenian system, till nearly the present juncture.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George

Undoubtedly many of the cases of sudden death under chloroform and ether in children and young persons are due to the existence of this lymphatic diathesis.

From Essays In Pastoral Medicine by ?Malley, Austin

But even in the mildest cases yellow fever establishes the hemorrhagic diathesis to an extent sufficient to render the occurrence of hemorrhage an imminent event.

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