pyorrhea

or py·or·rhoe·a

[pahy-uh-ree-uh]

noun

Pathology. a discharge of pus.
Also called pyorrhe·a al·ve·o·lar·is [al-vee-uh-lar-is] /ælˌvi əˈlær ɪs/, Riggs' disease. Dentistry. a chronic form of periodontitis occurring in various degrees of severity, characterized in its severe forms by the formation of pus in the pockets between the roots of the teeth and their surrounding tissues, and frequently accompanied by the loosening and subsequent loss of the teeth.

Origin of pyorrhea

From New Latin, dating back to 1805–15; see origin at pyo-, -rhea

Related formspy·or·rhe·al, py·or·rhe·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for pyorrhea

Historical Examples of pyorrhea

Doctor Granville, at the outside, will cure his pyorrhea with emetine for no more than a paltry fifty dollars.
Michael, Brother of Jerry
Jack London
He cured the pyorrhea alveolaris, and cured the catarrh, too, at the same time.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 358, November 11, 1882
Various

pyorrhea in Medicine

pyorrhea

[pī′ə-rē′ə]

n.

Purulent inflammation of the gums and tooth sockets, often leading to loosening of the teeth.
A discharge of pus.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.