mountain sickness

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. altitude sickness.

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mountain sickness British  

noun

1. Also called: altitude sickness.  nausea, headache, and shortness of breath caused by climbing to high altitudes (usually above 12 000 ft)

2. vet science a disease of cattle kept at high altitude in S and N America, characterized by congestive heart failure

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Etymology

Origin of mountain sickness

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

In his defence, US Navy doctors said he had been suffering from acute mountain sickness at the time of the accident.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2024

In the telling by Alkonis’ family and supporters, the naval officer abruptly lost consciousness in the car, causing him to slump over behind the wheel after suffering acute mountain sickness.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2022

The symptoms of acute mountain sickness include headache, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, and flulike malaise, and they can all occur without any physical exertion.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 2018

When I got to the top, I had mountain sickness, so I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Sean Turner said.

From Washington Times • Sep. 19, 2015

Presently, a dreadful sense of weakness seized him, that mountain sickness which produces the same effects as sea-sickness.

From Tartarin On The Alps by Wormeley, Katharine Prescott