Typhus Meaning
/ˈtaɪfəs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny of several similar diseases, characterised by high recurrent fever, caused by Rickettsia bacteria. Not to be confused with typhoid fever.
Sentence Examples
War is not an adventure. War is an illness. Like typhus.
Tom died of typhus.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor diagnosed the patient with ____ after he developed a high fever and rash from infected lice.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ is a group of infectious diseases that are caused by bacteria and spread by lice, fleas, and several other insects today.
Word Origin & History
From New Latin typhus, from Ancient Greek τῦφος (tûphos, “fever, stupor”), from τύφω (túphō, “to smoke”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewbʰ-, extended form of *dʰew- (“scatter like dust”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Typhoid and typhus have similar names and symptoms, but are different diseases."
— 2019, Bill Bryson, The Body: A Guide for Occupants, Black Swan (2020), page 377:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor diagnosed the patient with ____ after he developed a high fever and rash from infected lice.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ is a group of infectious diseases that are caused by bacteria and spread by lice, fleas, and several other insects today.