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

We are making here a transition somewhat resembling the transition from isolated bodily injuries to those subtler changes of diathesis which change of climate or of nutrition may induce.

From Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death by Myers, F. W. H. (Frederic William Henry)

My chemical clinician brother on the right side said, "Let us not forget in this regard the hold the uric acid diathesis has on the English-speaking medical profession."

From Education: How Old The New by Walsh, James J.

Enlargement of the glands of the neck and of the groin, with some enlargement of the tonsils, occurs in delicate children without necessarily being symptoms of the lymphatic diathesis.

From Essays In Pastoral Medicine by ?Malley, Austin

Thus it often happens that at the very time when a man of rheumatic diathesis is in finest form, he is suddenly laid prostrate by the return of his foe.

From Turkish and Other Baths A Guide to Good Health and Longevity by Stables, Gordon