trench mouth

noun

1. Vincent's angina.

trench mouth

noun

1. a bacterial ulcerative disease characterized by inflammation of the tonsils, gums, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of trench mouth¹

First recorded in 1915–20; so called from its high incidence among soldiers in the trenches

Word History and Origins

Origin of trench mouth¹

C20: so called because it was prevalent in soldiers in the Trenches during World War I

Example Sentences

And many men also suffered from trench mouth, a severe bacterial infection of the gums, another hazard of life in the trenches, caused by poor diet, poor hygiene, and smoking.

From Literature

And I said, patting your hand, ‘What, do I give you trench mouth?’

From Literature