aphthous

Variant of aphtha

aphtha definition

aph·tha (af′t̸hə)

noun pl. aphthae -·thae (-t̸hē)

a small, white spot or pustule, caused by either viral or fungal infections, that appears in the mouth, on the lips, or in the gastrointestinal tract in certain diseases, as thrush

Etymology: ModL < L aphthae (occurring only in pl.) < Gr aphtha (pl. aphthai), eruption, thrush < haptein, to inflame

Related Forms:

  • aphthous aph′·thous (-t̸həs) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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