pleurisy

[ploo r-uh-see]

noun Pathology.

inflammation of the pleura, with or without a liquid effusion in the pleural cavity, characterized by a dry cough and pain in the affected side.

Origin of pleurisy

1350–1400; Middle English pluresy < Old French pleurisie < Late Latin pleurīsis, alteration of Latin pleurītis < Greek pleurîtis. See pleura, -itis

Related formspleu·rit·ic

[ploo-rit-ik] /plʊˈrɪt ɪk/, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for pleurisy

Historical Examples of pleurisy

I had an attack of pleurisy after this, and was twenty-three days between life and death.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt
My distemper was a pleurisy, which very nearly carried me off.
Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Suddhoo's son at Peshawar was attacked by pleurisy, and old Suddhoo was troubled.
The Lock And Key Library
Various
Not since Stephen was bad with pleurisy had she felt so worried.
Fraternity
John Galsworthy
"Pleurisy," sighed Aunt Plenty, from the depths of the bath-tub.
Eight Cousins
Louisa M. Alcott

British Dictionary definitions for pleurisy

pleurisy

noun

inflammation of the pleura, characterized by pain that is aggravated by deep breathing or coughing

Derived Formspleuritic (plʊˈrɪtɪk), adjective, noun

Word Origin for pleurisy

C14: from Old French pleurisie, from Late Latin pleurisis, from Greek pleuritis, from pleura side

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 pleurisy

late 14c., from Old French pleurisie (13c., Modern French pleurésie) and directly from Late Latin pleurisis "pleurisy," alteration of Latin pleuritis "pain in the side," from Greek pleuritis, from pleura "side of the body, rib," of unknown origin. Spelling altered in Late Latin on model of Latin stem plur- "more" (cf. Medieval Latin pluritas "multitude"), as if in reference to "excess of humors."

pleurisy in Medicine

pleurisy

[plur′ĭ-sē]

n.

An inflammation of the pleura, usually occurring because of complications of a disease such as pneumonia, and accompanied by accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity, chills, fever, and painful breathing and coughing.pleuritis

pleurisy in Science

pleurisy

[plur′ĭ-sē]

An inflammation of the pleura, usually occurring because of complications of a respiratory disease or condition such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleural injury, or asbestos exposure. Pleurisy is usually accompanied by the accumulation of fluid between the pleurae, chills, fever, and painful breathing and coughing.