dysentery

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɪs(ə)nt(ə)ri/

noun

[mass noun]
  • infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhoea with the presence of blood and mucus in the faeces: a sudden attack of dysentery
    • Amoebic dysentery is caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica, mainly in warm climates, and spread by contaminated water and food; bacterial dysentery is caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella and can also spread by contact (see shigella)

Derivatives

dysenteric

Pronunciation: /-ˈtɛrɪk/
adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French dissenterie, or via Latin from Greek dusenteria, from dusenteros 'afflicted in the bowels', from dus- 'bad' + entera 'bowels'