actinomycosis

noun

ac·​ti·​no·​my·​co·​sis ˌak-(ˌ)ti-nō-mī-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce actinomycosis (audio)
-tə-nō-;
ak-ˌti-nō-
: infection with or disease caused by actinomyces
especially : a chronic disease of cattle, swine, and humans characterized by hard granulomatous masses usually in the mouth and jaw
actinomycotic
ˌak-(ˌ)ti-nō-mī-ˈkä-tik How to pronounce actinomycosis (audio)
-tə-nō-;
ak-ˌti-nō-
adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Aktinomykose, from New Latin Actinomyces actinomyces + German -ose -osis

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of actinomycosis was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near actinomycosis

Cite this Entry

“Actinomycosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actinomycosis. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

actinomycosis

noun
ac·​ti·​no·​my·​co·​sis ˌak-tə-nō-ˌmī-ˈkō-səs How to pronounce actinomycosis (audio)
plural actinomycoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce actinomycosis (audio)
: infection with or disease caused by actinomyces
especially : a chronic disease of cattle, swine, and humans characterized by hard granulomatous masses usually in the mouth and jaws see actinomycoma
actinomycotic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on actinomycosis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!