diathesis

[dahy-ath-uh-sis]

noun

plural

diatheses 

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

Other Word Forms

• diathetic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diathesis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of diathesis¹

C17: New Latin, from Greek: propensity, from diatithenai to dispose, from _dia- + tithenai to place