catarrh

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   inflammation of a mucous membrane, especially in the nose or throat, accompanied by excessive mucus; now chiefly a dated medical term

   The old case notes described his persistent nasal discharge as catarrh.

From Middle English catarre, through Medieval Latin catarrhus from Ancient Greek katarrhoos, 'a flowing down,' formed from kata- ('down') + rhein ('to flow'). The name reflects the old belief that fluids flowed down from the head.

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