Main Entry: ma·lar·ia

Pronunciation: \mə-ˈler-ē-ə\

Function: noun

Etymology: Italian, from mala aria bad air

Date: 1740

1 archaic : air infected with a noxious substance capable of causing disease; especially : miasma
2 a : a human disease that is caused by sporozoan parasites (genus Plasmodium) in the red blood cells, is transmitted by the bite of anopheline mosquitoes, and is characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever b : any of various diseases of birds and mammals caused by blood protozoans

— ma·lar·i·al \-əl\ adjective

— ma·lar·i·ous \-əs\ adjective