Diphtheria

Pronunciation: /dɪfˈθɪriə/

Definitions of diphtheria

noun an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae, typically affecting the throat and sometimes other parts of the body

Example Sentences

A1 Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection.

A2 The symptoms of diphtheria include a sore throat and fever.

B1 Vaccination is the best way to prevent diphtheria.

B2 In the past, diphtheria was a leading cause of death in children.

C1 Public health campaigns have successfully reduced the incidence of diphtheria.

C2 The development of antibiotics revolutionized the treatment of diphtheria.

Examples of diphtheria in a Sentence

formal Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects the mucous membranes of the throat and nose.

informal I heard that diphtheria is making a comeback in some areas due to low vaccination rates.

slang My grandma always tells me stories about the 'olden days' when people had to worry about diseases like diphtheria.

figurative The spread of misinformation on social media is like a modern-day diphtheria, infecting minds with dangerous ideas.

Grammatical Forms of diphtheria

• plural: diphtherias
• comparative: more diphtherial
• superlative: most diphtherial
• present tense: diphtheria
• future tense: will diphtheria
• perfect tense: has diphtheria
• continuous tense: is diphtheria
• singular: diphtheria
• positive degree: diphtheria
• infinitive: to diphtheria
• gerund: diphtheria
• participle: diphtherial

Origin and Evolution of diphtheria

First Known Use: 1857 year

Language of Origin: Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'diphtheria' originated from the Greek word 'diphthera', which means leather or hide, referring to the tough membrane that forms in the throat of those infected with the disease.

Evolution of the word: The term 'diphtheria' has remained relatively consistent in its meaning and usage since its first known use in the mid-19th century to describe the bacterial infection that affects the throat and airways.