byssinosis

noun

bys·​si·​no·​sis ˌbi-sə-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce byssinosis (audio)
plural byssinoses ˌbi-sə-ˈnō-ˌsēz How to pronounce byssinosis (audio)
: an occupational respiratory disease associated with inhalation of cotton, flax, or hemp dust and characterized initially by chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough and eventually by irreversible lung disease

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin byssinus of fine linen, from Greek byssinos, from byssos

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of byssinosis was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near byssinosis

Cite this Entry

“Byssinosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/byssinosis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

byssinosis

noun
bys·​si·​no·​sis ˌbis-ə-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce byssinosis (audio)
plural byssinoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce byssinosis (audio)
: an occupational respiratory disease associated with inhalation of cotton, flax, or hemp dust and characterized initially by chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough, and eventually by irreversible lung disease

called also brown lung, brown lung disease, mill fever

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