peritonitis

American  

[per-i-tn-ahy-tis] / ˌpɛr ɪ tnˈaɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the peritoneum, often accompanied by pain and tenderness in the abdomen, vomiting, constipation, and moderate fever.

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peritonitis British  

/ ˌpɛrɪtəˈnaɪtɪs, ˌpɛrɪtəˈnɪtɪk /

noun

1. inflammation of the peritoneum

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peritonitis Scientific  

/ pĕr′ĭ-tn-ī′tĭs /

1. Infection or inflammation of the peritoneal cavity, usually caused by a ruptured organ, such as the appendix, in the gastrointestinal tract.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• peritonital
  adjective
• peritonitic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of peritonitis

First recorded in 1770–80; periton(eum) + -itis

Example Sentences

Otamendi Hospital said she underwent laparoscopic surgery, which confirmed the diagnosis of "appendicitis with localized peritonitis," and that she was recovering "without postoperative complications".

From Barron's • Dec. 21, 2025

It took two trips to different hospitals to diagnose him with appendicitis, peritonitis and a kidney infection, and he had to be operated on straight away.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2025

Her father said she had been treated for a perforated ulcer and peritonitis.

From Reuters • Dec. 7, 2022

Central to the family’s case was the death certificate, which blamed the death on sepsis and peritonitis due to a tube-perforated colon.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2022

“You’ll have to go to a hospital. If the appendix ruptures, you may get peritonitis, and the infection will spread.”

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady