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miliary Definition

mili·ary (mil′ē er′ē, mil′yər ē)

adjective

  1. like a millet seed or seeds
  2. Med. characterized or accompanied by lesions about the size of millet seeds: said, specif., of a form of tuberculosis which spreads from a primary focus of infection to other parts of the body, forming many minute tubercles

Etymology: L miliarius < milium, millet

miliary Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • tuberculosis: This appearance has given rise to the term miliary tuberculosis.
  • spread: The lesions resemble a human primary complex with miliary spread.
  • lesion: Note numerous miliary lesions, especially in the lungs.