emphysema
pronunciation
How to pronounce emphysema in British English:
UK [ˌemfɪˈsiːmə]
How to pronounce emphysema in American English:
US [ˌemfɪˈsiːmə]
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- Noun:
- an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased respiratory function; associated with smoking or chronic bronchitis or old age
Word Origin
- emphysema (n.)
- 1660s, from Modern Latin, from Greek emphysema "swelling, inflation" (of the bowels, etc.), from emphysan "to blow in, inflate; to play the flute," from assimilated form of en "in" (see en- (2)) + physan "to blow," from physa "breath, blast" (see pustule). Related: Emphysematous (adj.).
Example
- 1. My mother was 79 , a longtime smoker who was dying of emphysema .
- 2. An old man smoking , first emphysema , tuberculosis , and is lung cancer .
- 3. There is a long history of lung cancer , emphysema , diabetes and coronary heart disease .
- 4. This may enable earlier detection of lung diseases such as cancer , emphysema and asthma , and lead to more effective treatments for these conditions .
- 5. Burning and inhaling that heady mix of tar and nicotine , not to mention the benzene and other chemicals in tobacco smoke , can promote lung cancer and emphysema .