phthisis \phthi"sis\ (th[imac]"s[i^]s; 277), n. [L., fr. Gr.
fqi`sis, fr. fqi`ein to pass or waste away: cf. F. phthisie.]
(Med.)
A wasting or consumption of the tissues. The term is now
obsolete; it was once applied to many wasting diseases, but
in the early 1900's became restricted to tuberculosis of the
lungs (pulmonary phthisis, or consumption). See
Consumption. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster + PJC]
Fibroid phthisis. See under Fibroid.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
phthisis
n : involving the lungs with progressive wasting of the body
[syn: pulmonary tuberculosis, consumption, wasting
disease, white plague]
WordNet (r) 2.0
|
|
|