influenza

(in′flo̵̅o̅ en)

noun

  1. an acute, contagious, infectious disease, caused by any of various viruses and characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract, fever, and muscular pain
  2. any of various viral diseases of domestic animals, characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract

Origin: It, lit., an influence (because attributed by astrologers to the influence of the stars) < ML influentia: see influence

Related Forms:

See influenza in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain, and prostration. Also called grippe.
  2. Any of various viral infections of domestic animals characterized generally by fever and respiratory involvement.

Origin:

Origin: Italian

Origin: , from Medieval Latin īnfluentia, influence (so called apparently from the belief that epidemics were due to the influence of the stars); see influence

.

Related Forms:

  • inˌflu·enˈzal adjective

Learn more about influenza

Related Articles

link/cite print suggestion box