dysentery
Syllabification: (dys·en·ter·y)
Pronunciation: /ˈdisənˌterē/
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Definition of dysentery
noun
- infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhea with the presence of blood and mucus in the feces.
- bacterial dysentery is caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella and can also spread by contact (see amebic dysentery, shigella)
Derivatives
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'