brown lung

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a debilitating lung disease resembling emphysema, occurring among textile workers from inhalation of cotton dust.

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Example Sentences

A review of the cotton dust standard, in particular, drew the ire of labor and triggered a vigil on behalf of brown lung victims in Washington.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2015

He suspended distribution of the Bingham films, which he deemed inflammatory, and ordered the withdrawal of a brochure whose cover included a poignant photo of a brown lung victim.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2015

In the cotton-mill country of the South, a sardonic slogan addressed to consumers is "Blue jeans for you, brown lung for us."

From Time Magazine Archive