Definition

1. Noun:
   • An impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning: A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific signs or symptoms or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury.
   • A particular quality, habit, or disposition regarded as adversely affecting a person or group: Often used figuratively to describe a harmful condition or problem in society or an organization.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide.
  • The doctor specializes in infectious diseases.
  • The spread of the plant disease threatened the entire crop.
  • Greed is a disease of the modern soul. (figurative usage)

Advanced Usage

• "to catch a disease": to become infected with an illness.
  • He caught a rare disease while traveling.
• "to be a disease of...": to be a characteristic problem affecting something.
  • Political apathy is a disease of modern democracies. (figurative)
• "to be diseased" (adj): affected with disease.
  • The diseased tree had to be cut down.

Variants and Related Words

• Diseased (adj): Suffering from or affected by a disease.
  • The veterinarian examined the diseased animal.
• Disease-free (adj): Not affected by any disease.
  • The certificate confirms the herd is disease-free.

Synonyms

• Illness: A disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind.
• Disorder: A disruption of normal physical or mental functions.
• Ailment: An illness, typically a minor one.
• Affliction: Something that causes pain or suffering.
• Malady: A disease or ailment. (Often used in formal or literary contexts)

Related Phrases

• Contagious disease: A disease transmissible by direct or indirect contact.
  • Measles is a highly contagious disease.
• Chronic disease: A long-lasting medical condition.
  • Diabetes is a manageable chronic disease.
• Infectious disease: A disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
  • Hospitals have protocols to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• Occupational disease: A disease contracted as a result of exposure to risk factors arising from work activity.
  • Black lung is an occupational disease for coal miners.

Related Idioms

• "To be a disease of the mind": Refers to a harmful mental state or obsession.
  • His constant jealousy was a disease of the mind.
• "The disease of...": Used to criticize a widespread negative phenomenon.
  • The disease of consumerism affects many societies.

Noun

1. an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning