dysentery

/ˌdɪsnˈtɛri/

/ˈdɪsəntɛri/

Other forms: dysenteries

Dysentery is a nasty sounding word for a nasty condition: an intestinal infection that results in diarrhea.

There are few things as unpleasant as dysentery, an infectious condition, kind of like the flu, that includes severe diarrhea. Dysentery is common in countries and places with poor health conditions and sewage problems. If the drinking water is filthy, that's a great way to spread dysentery. This word sounds kind of dirty, and that's a good hint to its meaning: the horrible illness of dysentery spreads in dirty, unsafe living conditions.

Definitions of dysentery

1. noun

   an infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhea
   types:

   amebic dysentery, amoebic dysentery

   inflammation of the intestines caused by Endamoeba histolytica; usually acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated with feces; characterized by severe diarrhea

   bacillary dysentery, shigellosis

   an acute infection of the intestine by shigella bacteria; characterized by diarrhea and fever and abdominal pains

   type of:

   infectious disease

   a disease transmitted only by a specific kind of contact