Disease Meaning
/dɪˈziːz/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn abnormal condition of a human, animal or plant that causes discomfort or dysfunction; distinct from injury insofar as the latter is usually instantaneously acquired.
nounAny abnormal or harmful condition, as of society, people's attitudes, way of living etc.
Sentence Examples
Life is a fatal sexually transmitted disease.
Tension is a major cause of heart disease.
People with the disease may lose their ability to communicate.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor said the ____ spreads quickly without proper hygiene.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The doctors worked hard to find a cure for the rare ____ that affected the community.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English disese, from Anglo-Norman desese, disaise, from Old French desaise, from des- + aise. Displaced native Middle English adle, audle (“disease”) (from Old English ādl (“disease, sickness”), see adle), Middle English cothe, coathe (“disease”) (from Old English coþu (“disease”), see coath). By surface analysis, dis- + ease.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"[…] diſeaſes deſperate growne,
By deſperate appliance are releeued,
Or not at all."
— c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 272, column 2:
"Of all the queer collections of humans outside of a crazy asylum, it seemed to me this sanitarium was the cup winner. […] When you're well enough off so's you don't have to fret about anything but your heft or your diseases you begin to get queer, I suppose."
— 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter V, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
"[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes […] And then, when you see [the senders], you probably find that they are the most melancholy old folk with malignant diseases."
— 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, →OL:
"Conditions were horrendous aboard most British naval vessels at the time. Scurvy and other diseases ran rampant, killing more seamen each year than all other causes combined, including combat."
— 2012 March 26, William E. Carter, Merri Sue Carter, “The British Longitude Act Reconsidered”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, archived from the original on 18 Apr 2012, page 87:
"Thanks to that connection between cardiovascular and brain health, taking steps to prevent cardiovascular disease or other chronic diseases – such as maintaining a healthy diet and exercise – can benefit the brain too, said Vossel, who was not involved in the new study."
— 2022 September 14, Jacqueline Howard, “Study finds potential link between daily multivitamin and improved cognition in older adults”, in CNN, archived from the original on 25 May 2023:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor said the ____ spreads quickly without proper hygiene.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The doctors worked hard to find a cure for the rare ____ that affected the community.