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influenza

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(in′flo̵̅o̅ en′zə)

noun

an acute, contagious, infectious disease, caused by any of various viruses and characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract, fever, and muscular pain
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:

influenzal adjective

See influenza in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain, and prostration. Also called grippe.
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: