English

Noun

diphtheria ‎(countable and uncountable, plural diphtherias)

1. (pathology) A highly infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract characterised by a sore throat, fever, and difficulty breathing, its symptoms being due to a potent toxin excreted by the infecting agent Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Synonyms

• (repiratory tract infection): Boulogne sore throat (obsolete), diphtheritis

Related terms

• diphtherial
• diphtheric
• diphtheritic

Translations