tonsillitis

American  

[ton-suh-lahy-tis] / ˌtɒn səˈlaɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of a tonsil or the tonsils.

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tonsillitis British  

/ ˌtɒnsɪˈlɪtɪk, ˌtɒnsɪˈlaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the palatine tonsils, causing enlargement, occasionally to the extent that they nearly touch one another

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tonsillitis Scientific  

/ tŏn′sə-lī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the tonsils, usually caused by bacterial infection.

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tonsillitis Cultural  

1. An inflammation of the tonsils, sometimes the result of a bacterial infection.

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Other Word Forms

• tonsillitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of tonsillitis

First recorded in 1795–1805; from Latin tōnsill(ae) “tonsils” + -itis

Compare meaning

How does tonsillitis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• pharyngitis vs. tonsillitis

Example Sentences

The 20-year-old was initially diagnosed with tonsillitis and prescribed antibiotics, however his condition deteriorated and he became immobile with severe leg pain.

From BBC

Lyla Story, from Hull, died in May last year less than 24 hours after her mother had taken her to their doctor who diagnosed acute tonsillitis, an inquest heard in September.

From BBC

I tried to go into work with tonsillitis here and they sent me home.

From BBC

By the time Emma's son was 15, he was becoming breathless, contracted tonsillitis, and, at one point, was in so much pain, Emma called an ambulance.

From BBC

"Today's probably the worst I have felt," said Draper, who was diagnosed with tonsillitis on Friday.

From BBC