disease

[dih-zeez]

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noun

a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.

any abnormal condition in a plant that interferes with its vital physiological processes, caused by pathogenic microorganisms, parasites, unfavorable environmental, genetic, or nutritional factors, etc.

any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition, as of the mind or society: His fascination with executions is a disease.

decomposition of a material under special circumstances: tin disease.

verb (used with object), dis·eased, dis·eas·ing.

to affect with disease; make ill.

Nearby words

Origin of disease

1300–50; Middle English disese < Anglo-French dese(a)se, disaise; see dis-¹, ease

SYNONYMS FOR disease

1. morbidity, complaint, derangement, distemper, indisposition, infirmity, disorder, malady.

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ANTONYMS FOR disease

1. health. 5. cure.

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Related formsdis·eas·ed·ly, adverbdis·eas·ed·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for disease

Without it, they say, the disease would surely kill her within two years.
Should Teens Have The Right To Die?|Brandy Zadrozny|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He beat his illness twice, wrote about his battles with the disease, and continued broadcasting even as his health was failing.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott|Stereo Williams|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It was a reminder that, as Beyoncé once sang, “Perfection is the disease of a nation,” and her family is hardly flawless.
Yoncé Said Knock You Out: The Solange and Jay Z Story|Kevin O’Keeffe|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
World peace, religious tolerance, and an end to global poverty, hunger, and disease.
Santa Fails One More Time|P. J. O’Rourke|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Despite the obvious ongoing problems with disease and access to basics, the future of Africa is bright.
Silicon Valley Sets Its Sights on Africa|Christian Borys|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He united with this kind of work the more unpleasant occupation of drawing the curiosities of disease or deformity in hospitals.
Nonsense Books|Edward Lear
The ships at anchor in Carlisle Bay were, for the most part, infected with this disease.
A History of Epidemics in Britain (Volume I of II)|Charles Creighton
If sufficient care be taken to prevent their entrance, the contraction of the disease can be absolutely prevented.
The Eugenic Marriage, Volume IV. (of IV.)|Grant Hague
Thorough ventilation is the best preventive of disease under the circumstances; this has been provided by fans.
Stories of the Ships|Lewis R. Freeman
The disease regarded by the thoughtless youth as a trifle, is now regarded by the old man as serious.
Self Knowledge and Guide to Sex Instruction|T. W. Shannon

British Dictionary definitions for disease

disease

noun

any impairment of normal physiological function affecting all or part of an organism, esp a specific pathological change caused by infection, stress, etc, producing characteristic symptoms; illness or sickness in general

a corresponding condition in plants

any situation or condition likened to thisthe disease of materialism

Related formsRelated adjective: pathological

Word Origin for disease

C14: from Old French desaise; see dis- 1, ease

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

Word Origin and History for disease

disease

early 14c., "discomfort, inconvenience," from Old French desaise "lack, want; discomfort, distress; trouble, misfortune; disease, sickness," from des- "without, away" (see dis-) + aise "ease" (see ease). Sense of "sickness, illness" in English first recorded late 14c.; the word still sometimes was used in its literal sense early 17c.

Medicine definitions for disease

disease

[dĭ-zēz′]

n.

A pathological condition of a body part, an organ, or a system resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.

disease

noun

verb (used with object), dis·eased, dis·eas·ing.

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Origin of disease

Examples from the Web for disease

disease

noun

Word Origin for disease

disease

disease

n.