cholera

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an acute intestinal infection caused by Vibrio cholerae, usually spread through contaminated food or water and capable of causing severe watery diarrhea and dehydration

   Officials treated the water supply quickly to prevent a wider cholera outbreak.

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Simplified etymology

Cholera, recorded in late Middle English, ultimately derives from Greek kholē, “bile.” It belongs to the same Greek-rooted family as choleric and cholesterol.

From Latin cholera ("bilious disease"), from Greek kholera, related to kholē ("bile"). The ancient name was later applied specifically to the severe epidemic intestinal disease now known to be caused by Vibrio cholerae.

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