Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

pleurisy

[ploo r-uh-see]
noun Pathology.
  1. 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.
Show More

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for pleurisy

Historical Examples

  • 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.

  • Suddhoo's son at Peshawar was attacked by pleurisy, and old Suddhoo was troubled.

  • 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
  1. inflammation of the pleura, characterized by pain that is aggravated by deep breathing or coughing
Show More
Derived Formspleuritic (plʊˈrɪtɪk), adjective, noun

Word Origin

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

n.

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."

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
pleurisy in Medicine

pleurisy

(plur′ĭ-sē)
n.
  1. 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
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
pleurisy in Science

pleurisy

[plur′ĭ-sē]
  1. 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.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.