Where does “diphtheria” come from?
Diphtheria comes from French diphthérie, a medical term formed from Greek roots meaning "leather-like membrane," referring to the characteristic throat coating caused by the disease.
diphtheria (English): A serious infectious disease which causes...
Definitions
- A serious infectious disease which causes...
Ancestry of “diphtheria”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | French | diphtérie | diphtheria |
| 2 | French | diphtérite | — |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | διφθέρα | prepared hide, piece of leather; especially as... |
| 4 | Proto-Hellenic | dipʰtʰérā | — |