pneumoconiosis

[ noo-muh-koh-nee-oh-sis, nyoo- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. any chronic lung disease, including anthracosis, asbestosis, and silicosis, caused by the inhalation of particles of coal, asbestos, silica, or similar substances and leading to fibrosis and loss of lung function.

pneumoconiosis

/ ˌnjuːmənəʊˌkəʊnɪˈəʊsɪs; ˌnjuːməʊˌkəʊnɪˈəʊsɪs /

noun

1. any disease of the lungs or bronchi caused by the inhalation of metallic or mineral particles: characterized by inflammation, cough, and fibrosis

pneumoconiosis

/ no̅o̅′mō-kō′nē-ō′sĭs /

1. A disease of the lungs, such as asbestosis or black lung, caused by chronic inhalation of especially mineral or metallic dust.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pneumoconiosis¹

First recorded in 1880–85; syncopated variant of pneumonoconiosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of pneumoconiosis¹

C19: shortened from pneumonoconiosis, from pneumo- + -coniosis, from Greek konis dust