Phthisis
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈfθaɪsɪs/, IPA: /ˈθaɪsɪs/, IPA: /ˈtaɪsɪs/
- Hyphenation: phthi + sis
Origin
From Latin phthisis, from Ancient Greek φθίσις (phthisis, "consumption, decline, wasting away"), from φθίω (phthiÅ, "I waste away").
Full definition of phthisis
Noun
phthisis
(plural phthises)- (archaic) An atrophy of the body or part of the body, especially pulmonary tuberculosis.
- 1985, Anthony Burgess, Kingdom of the Wicked, Tired from his journey and his chronic lung weakness, which he had saved from turning to phthisis by winter sojourns in Egypt, he was yet goodhumoured enough when his deputy reported the arrival of a gang of Jews who wanted judgment on something or someone.
- Edgar Allan Poe, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar:Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, For some months to my becoming acquainted with him, his physicians had declared him in a confirmed phthisis. It was his custom, indeed, to speak calmly of his approaching dissolution, as a matter neither to be avoided nor regretted.