diathesis

[ dahy-ath-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural di·ath·e·ses [dahy-, ath, -, uh, -seez].

1. Pathology. a constitutional predisposition or tendency, as to a particular disease or other abnormal state of the body or mind.

diathesis

/ ˌdaɪəˈθɛtɪk; daɪˈæθɪsɪs /

noun

1. a hereditary or acquired susceptibility of the body to one or more diseases

Derived Forms

• diathetic, adjective

Other Words From

• di·a·thet·ic [dahy-, uh, -, thet, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diathesis¹

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek diáthesis arrangement, disposition. See dia-, thesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of diathesis¹

C17: New Latin, from Greek: propensity, from diatithenai to dispose, from dia- + tithenai to place

Example Sentences

In this model, diathesis represents an individual's genetic predilections; which are mightily affected by other factors, often stress-inducing, in the individual's environment.

From New York Times

GT resulted in partial or complete resolution of immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, and bleeding diathesis.

From Science Magazine

The term insanity is merely a loose descriptive one, and we shall gain little definite knowledge about the inheritance of such maladies until we study each separate insane diathesis specifically.

From Project Gutenberg

Of or pertaining to an aneurism; as, an aneurismal tumor; aneurismal diathesis.

From Project Gutenberg

Bleeding is seldom of much avail, but produces, occasionally, considerable loss of vital power, and augments the putrid diathesis.

From Project Gutenberg