influenza
pronunciation
How to pronounce influenza in British English:
UK [ˌɪnfluˈenzə]
How to pronounce influenza in American English:
US [ˌɪnfluˈenzə]
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- Noun:
- an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease
Word Origin
- influenza
- influenza: see flu
- influenza (n.)
- 1743, borrowed during an outbreak of the disease in Europe, from Italian influenza "influenza, epidemic," originally "visitation, influence (of the stars)," from Medieval Latin influentia (see influence). Used in Italian for diseases since at least 1504 (as in influenza di febbre scarlattina "scarlet fever") on notion of astral or occult influence. The 1743 outbreak began in Italy. Often applied since mid-19c. to severe colds.
Example
- 1. Hundreds died in the influenza that swept post-war europe .
- 2. The threat from influenza is real .
- 3. Resistance can develop to antiviral drugs used for influenza .
- 4. There are many more avian than human influenza viruses .
- 5. Influenza pandemics have struck periodically in historic times .