tonsillitis

ton·sil·li·tis

noun \-ˈlī-təs\

Definition of TONSILLITIS

: inflammation of the tonsils

Origin of TONSILLITIS

New Latin

First Known Use: 1801

Rhymes with TONSILLITIS

adenitis, arteritis, cellulitis, dermatitis, enteritis, gingivitis, hepatitis, Heracleitus, ileitis, keratitis, laryngitis, meningitis, myelitis, pharyngitis, pneumonitis, Polyclitus, prostatitis, retinitis, sinusitis, spondylitis, tendinitis, urethritis, vaginitis

ton·sil·li·tis

noun \ˌtän(t)-sə-ˈlīt-əs\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TONSILLITIS

: inflammation of the tonsils and especially the palatine tonsils typically due to viral or bacterial infection and marked by red enlarged tonsils usually with sore throat, fever, difficult swallowing, hoarseness or loss of voice, and tender or swollen lymph nodes

tonsillitis

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Inflammatory infection of the tonsils, usually with hemolytic streptococci (see streptococcus) or viruses. The symptoms are sore throat, trouble in swallowing, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes on the neck. The infection, which usually lasts about five days, is treated with bed rest and antiseptic gargling. Sulfa drugs or other antibiotics are prescribed in severe bacterial infections to prevent complications. Streptococcal infection can spread to nearby structures. Complications may include abscess, nephritis, and rheumatic fever. Tonsils that become chronically inflamed and enlarged require surgical removal (tonsillectomy).