diathesis

noun

di·​ath·​e·​sis dī-ˈa-thə-səs How to pronounce diathesis (audio)
plural diatheses dī-ˈa-thə-ˌsēz How to pronounce diathesis (audio)
: a constitutional predisposition toward a particular state or condition and especially one that is abnormal or diseased
diathetic
ˌdī-ə-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce diathesis (audio)
adjective

Examples of diathesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So psychologists have come up with a hypothesis called diathesis stress model which sort of explains why certain vulnerabilities emerge. —Fox News, 26 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, literally, arrangement, from diatithenai to arrange, from dia- + tithenai to set — more at do

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diathesis was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near diathesis

diathermy

diathesis

diatom

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Diathesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diathesis. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

diathesis

noun
di·​ath·​e·​sis dī-ˈath-ə-səs How to pronounce diathesis (audio)
plural diatheses -ˌsēz How to pronounce diathesis (audio)
: a constitutional predisposition toward a particular state or condition and especially one that is abnormal or diseased
diathetic
ˌdī-ə-ˈthet-ik How to pronounce diathesis (audio)
adjective
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