pleurisy

noun

pleu·​ri·​sy ˈplu̇r-ə-sē How to pronounce pleurisy (audio)
: inflammation of the pleura that is typically characterized by sudden onset, painful and difficult respiration, and exudation of fluid or fibrinous material into the pleural cavity
pleuritic adjective

Examples of pleurisy 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.
Since the collapsed lung, Ware has been to the emergency room several more times and been diagnosed with pleurisy, a condition in which the linings of the lungs become inflamed. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 11 Oct. 2019 Franklin died in 1790 of pleurisy, a painful inflammation of the tissue lining the lungs and chest. Philly.com, 8 Oct. 2017 Together, Amanda and her son, Tom (Joe Mantello), look after her daughter, Laura, a painfully shy young woman made ill by pleurisy as a teen-ager. The New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2017 Together, Amanda and Tom look after Tom’s sister, Laura (Madison Ferris), a painfully shy young woman whose bout of pleurisy as a teen-ager has left her with a limp. Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pleuresi, from Anglo-French pleuresie, from Late Latin pleurisis, alteration of Latin pleuritis, from Greek, from pleura side

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pleurisy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pleurisy

Cite this Entry

“Pleurisy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pleurisy. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pleurisy

noun
pleu·​ri·​sy ˈplu̇r-ə-sē How to pronounce pleurisy (audio)
: inflammation of the pleura usually with fever, painful breathing, and coughing

Medical Definition

pleurisy

noun
pleu·​ri·​sy ˈplu̇r-ə-sē How to pronounce pleurisy (audio)
plural pleurisies
: inflammation of the pleura that is typically characterized by sudden onset, painful and difficult respiration, and exudation of fluid or fibrinous material into the pleural cavity

called also pleuritis

see dry pleurisy, wet pleurisy

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