asthma

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a long-term respiratory condition in which narrowed, inflamed airways cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath

   Cold air can trigger her asthma during a winter run.

From Middle English asma, through Medieval Latin from Ancient Greek asthma, 'panting or difficult breathing.' English restored the etymological th in the sixteenth century, although it remains silent in modern pronunciation.

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