dysentery

noun

dys·​en·​tery ˈdi-sᵊn-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural dysenteries

1

: a disease characterized by severe diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood and usually caused by infection

2

: diarrhea

Examples of dysentery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Laborers from southern India fed the plantations of Malaya and Ceylon, where many lost their lives to malaria or dysentery. —Adom Getachew, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021

The plant is a climbing vine native to the region that local people use for its medicinal qualities to treat conditions such as diabetes, dysentery and malaria. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 May 2024

Locals use it to treat malaria, dysentery and diabetes. —Julia Daye, Miami Herald, 3 May 2024

The plant has analgesic, antipyretic and diuretic effects; in traditional medicine in the region, it's used to treat diseases from dysentery and diabetes to malaria. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 3 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dissenterie, borrowed from Latin dysenteria (Medieval Latin desintiria, dissenteria), borrowed from Greek dysentería, from dys- dys- + éntera (neuter plural) "intestines" + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at inter-

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dysentery

• amebic dysentery

Kids Definition

dysentery

noun

dys·​en·​tery ˈdis-ən-ˌter-ē 

1

: a disease characterized by severe diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood from the bowels

2

: diarrhea

Medical Definition

dysentery

noun

dys·​en·​tery ˈdis-ᵊn-ˌter-ē 

plural dysenteries

1

: a disease characterized by severe diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood and usually caused by infection

2

: diarrhea