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asthma

Pronunciation: /ˈasmə/
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Definition of asthma

noun

[mass noun]
  • a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. It is usually connected to allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity.

Origin:

late Middle English: from medieval Latin asma, from Greek asthma, from azein 'breathe hard'

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Remember that asthma is spelled with th after the s, although it is not heard when you say the word.

asthma in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of asthma in the US English dictionary

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