tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (noun) means a serious infectious disease, usually affecting the lungs, caused by a bacterium and marked by coughing, fever, and weight loss. Example: “Tuberculosis was once one of the leading causes of death before effective antibiotics were developed.”
How to Use Tuberculosis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA serious lung infection, often shortened to "TB."
You will almost always see this word abbreviated to TB in everyday speech and writing.
Trace the full origin ↓Word Forms
tuberculoses plural
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_____ was once one of the leading causes of death before effective antibiotics were developed.
Etymology
Coined in the 1800s from Latin tuberculum ("small swelling") plus -osis ("diseased condition"), because the infection produces small lump-like nodules, or tubercles, in the lungs. For centuries before this scientific name existed, English simply called the disease "consumption," since it seemed to consume the sufferer's body away.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tuberculosis
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “tuberculosis” mean?
The word “tuberculosis” means a serious infectious disease, usually affecting the lungs, caused by a bacterium and marked by coughing, fever, and weight loss. In plain terms, a serious lung infection, often shortened to "TB.".
How do you pronounce “tuberculosis”?
“Tuberculosis” is pronounced choo-burk-yuu-LOH-sihs (/tuˌbɝkjʊˈloʊsɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “tuberculosis” in a sentence?
Here is “tuberculosis” used in a sentence: “Tuberculosis was once one of the leading causes of death before effective antibiotics were developed.”
What part of speech is “tuberculosis”?
“Tuberculosis” is a noun.
Where does the word “tuberculosis” come from?
The word “tuberculosis” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Latin.
Is “tuberculosis” a common word?
“Tuberculosis” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between tuberculosis and pneumonia?
Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease caused by a specific bacterium and marked by coughing, fever, and weight loss, often developing slowly over weeks or months. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that can be caused by many different bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and it typically develops more quickly.
What are the main symptoms of tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is marked by a persistent cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss, since the disease usually affects the lungs. These symptoms often develop gradually rather than appearing suddenly.
Is tuberculosis contagious?
Yes, tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium, meaning it can spread from person to person, most commonly through the respiratory system. This is why it is classified as a serious infectious illness rather than a purely inherited or environmental condition.
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