phthisis

[thahy-sis, tahy-]

noun

Pathology.

1. a wasting away.

2. pulmonary tuberculosis; consumption.

phthisis

/ ˈfθaɪ-, ˈtaɪ-, ˈθaɪsɪs /

noun

1. any disease that causes wasting of the body, esp pulmonary tuberculosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of phthisis¹

1515–25; < Greek phthísis lung disease, literally, a wasting away, equivalent to phthí ( ein ) to decay + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of phthisis¹

C16: via Latin from Greek: a wasting away, from phthinein to waste away