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View synonyms for disease

disease

[ dih-zeez ]

noun

  1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment.

    Synonyms: malady, disorder, infirmity, indisposition, distemper, derangement, complaint, morbidity

    Antonyms: health

  2. any abnormal condition in a plant that interferes with its vital physiological processes, caused by pathogenic microorganisms, parasites, unfavorable environmental, genetic, or nutritional factors, etc.
  3. any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition, as of the mind or society:

    His fascination with executions is a disease.

  4. decomposition of a material under special circumstances:

    tin disease.



verb (used with object)

, dis·eased, dis·eas·ing.
  1. to affect with disease; make ill.

    Antonyms: cure

disease

/ dɪˈziːz /

noun

  1. any impairment of normal physiological function affecting all or part of an organism, esp a specific pathological change caused by infection, stress, etc, producing characteristic symptoms; illness or sickness in general
  2. a corresponding condition in plants
  3. any situation or condition likened to this

    the disease of materialism

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Other Words From

  • dis·eased·ly adverb
  • dis·eased·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of disease1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English disese, from Anglo-French dese(a)se, disaise; dis- 1 + ease
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Word History and Origins

Origin of disease1

C14: from Old French desaise; see dis- 1, ease
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Example Sentences

As the campaign for the votes of the Sierra Club’s 750,000 members grew more rancorous, Zuckerman sent board members an article from Brimelow’s VDare, about how Latinos were spreading disease and crime and that “Hispandering” politicians were encouraging it, Cox recalled.

From Salon

By then, the groups that Tanton had helped found had become larger than Tanton, who was in his mid-70s and diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and they had achieved mainstream power.

From Salon

He is credited with discovering the scientific basis for diagnosing and managing violence as a contagious disease and is the founder of the NGO Cure Violence Global.

From Salon

Her consultant at The Christie, Claire Kelly, described Laura as an "inspirational woman" who, by sharing her story, had also raised awareness of the disease.

From BBC

In 1798, Scottish doctor Sir Alexander Crichton wrote about a “disease of attention” with “an unnatural degree of mental restlessness.”

From BBC

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