pleurisy

[ ploo r-uh-see ]

/ ˈplʊər ə si /

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.

Nearby words

pleural ring, pleural space, pleuralgia, pleurapophysis, pleurectomy, pleurisy, pleurisy root, pleuritic, pleuritic rub, pleuritis, pleuro-

Origin of pleurisy

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

Related forms

pleu·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

It was a sharp, definite pain, similar to that of pleurisy, except that it stabbed hotly through the heart itself.
The Jacket (The Star-Rover)|Jack London
When a young man of about twenty-one he had a bad attack of pleurisy, of which he nearly died.
The True Benjamin Franklin|Sydney George Fisher
In the early stage of pleurisy the serous membrane is dry, and as the disease advances the membrane becomes unnaturally moist.
Special Report on Diseases of Cattle|U.S. Department of Agriculture
Not since Stephen was bad with pleurisy had she felt so worried.
Fraternity|John Galsworthy

Pleurisy came on, and made such rapid inroads upon his strength that in a very few days his recovery was pronounced impossible.
A True Friend|Adeline Sergeant

British Dictionary definitions for pleurisy

pleurisy

/ (ˈplʊərɪsɪ) /

noun

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

Derived Forms

pleuritic (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

Medicine definitions for pleurisy

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

Science definitions for pleurisy

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.