Etymology
From Middle English diaria, from Middle French diarrie (French diarrhée), from Late Latin diarrhoea, from Ancient Greek διάÏÏοια or diárrhoia (through-flowing), from διά or diá (through) + á¿¥Îω or rhéŠ(flow). By surface analysis, dia- + -rrhea. Spelling later altered to resemble the word's Latin and Greek roots.
Displaced native Old English Å«tsiht (literally "straining out").
Noun
diarrhea (countable and uncountable, plural diarrheas)
- (medicine) A gastrointestinal disorder characterized by frequent and very soft or watery bowel movements.
- The watery or very soft excrement that comes from such bowel movements.
Derived terms
- runner's diarrhea
- traveler's diarrhea
Related terms
- diarrheal
- diarrheic
Credits
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