quinsy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a painful abscess beside a tonsil, usually occurring as a complication of tonsillitis

   The physician diagnosed quinsy after the swelling made it difficult for her to swallow.

From Middle English quinesye, through Old French quinencie and Medieval Latin quinancia, from Greek kynankhē, literally 'dog-throttling,' from kyōn, 'dog,' and ankhein, 'to choke.' The image refers to the throat constriction caused by the illness.

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