phthisis

/'θaisis/

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The word "phthisis" is a noun that refers to a disease that affects the lungs and leads to a gradual decline in health, often causing the body to lose weight and strength. In simple terms, it is an old term used to describe a serious lung illness that can make a person very weak and thin over time.

Usage Instructions:

• "Phthisis" is not commonly used in everyday conversation today. Instead, people might use the term "tuberculosis" (TB) when referring to this type of lung disease. However, "phthisis" can still be found in some medical texts or historical documents.

Example Sentence:

• "The doctor diagnosed the patient with phthisis, noting the significant weight loss and difficulty in breathing."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced medical or historical contexts, "phthisis" might be used to discuss the historical understanding of lung diseases. It can also be used in literature to describe characters suffering from such conditions.

Word Variants:

• "Phthisical" (adjective): Describing something related to phthisis. For example, "The phthisical symptoms were evident in the patient’s cough and fatigue."

Different Meanings:

While "phthisis" primarily refers to a lung disease, it can also refer to a general wasting away or decline in health.

Synonyms:

• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Wasting disease
• Consumption (an older term for tuberculosis)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "phthisis," but you might hear phrases like "wasting away" or "losing strength," which can describe similar conditions.

Summary:

In summary, "phthisis" is an old medical term that refers to a serious lung disease leading to progressive weight loss and weakness. Today, it's more common to use "tuberculosis" when talking about this illness.

Academic

Noun

1. involving the lungs with progressive wasting of the body

Synonyms

• pulmonary tuberculosis
• consumption
• wasting disease
• white plague