squinancy

noun

squin·​an·​cy

-nə(n)si

plural -es

1

obsolete : peritonsillar abscess

2

: a European perennial herb (Asperula cynanchica) with narrowly linear whorled leaves formerly thought to cure peritonsillar abscess

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, quinsy, from Middle French esquinancie, squinancie, from Old French, alteration (influenced by Greek syanchē sore throat, from syn- + anchein to strangle) of quinancie quinsy, from Late Latin cynanche

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