consumptive

 
Pronunciation: /kənˈsʌm(p)tɪv/

adjective

  • 1 dated affected with a wasting disease, especially pulmonary tuberculosis: from birth he was sickly and consumptive he travelled to Torquay for the health of his consumptive son
  • 2chiefly derogatory relating to the using up of resources: tourism represents an insidious form of consumptive activity

noun

dated
  • a person with a wasting disease, especially pulmonary tuberculosis: for some consumptives, the outlook was hopeless

Derivatives

consumptively

adverb

Origin:

mid 17th century: from medieval Latin consumptivus, from Latin consumpt- 'consumed', from the verb consumere (see consume)