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Definition

noun, plural: diseases

An abnormal condition of an organism which interrupts the normal bodily functions that often leads to feeling of pain and weakness, and usually associated with symptoms and signs.

A pathologic condition in which the normal functioning of an organism or body is impaired or disrupted resulting in extreme pain, dysfunction, distress, or death.

Supplement

It may include state of injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections, isolated symptoms, deviant behaviors, or atypical variations of structure and function.

Synonymous with the words: affection, ailing, ailment, disorder, distemper, illness, malady, sickness. However, in strict sense, disease is usually protracted or prolonged, sometimes permanent. It differs from disorder that means a slight, partial or temporary irregularity in the system. Distemper is mostly associated with diseases of animals. Malady is more of a literary term than a medical or technical term. Affection refers to a part, organ, or function (as in: affection of the lung).

Word origin: oe. Disese, OF. Desaise; des- (L. Dis-) _ aise ease.

Related forms: diseased (adjective).
Related terms: Wagners disease, Wolmans disease, hoof-and-mouth disease.