diathesis

noun

di·​ath·​e·​sis dī-ˈa-thə-səs 

plural diatheses dī-ˈa-thə-ˌsēz 

: a constitutional predisposition toward a particular state or condition and especially one that is abnormal or diseased

diathetic

ˌdī-ə-ˈthe-tik 

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

So psychologists have come up with a hypothesis called diathesis stress model which sort of explains why certain vulnerabilities emerge. —Fox News, 26 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, literally, arrangement, from diatithenai to arrange, from dia- + tithenai to set — more at do

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

diathesis

noun

di·​ath·​e·​sis dī-ˈath-ə-səs 

plural diatheses -ˌsēz 

: a constitutional predisposition toward a particular state or condition and especially one that is abnormal or diseased

diathetic

ˌdī-ə-ˈthet-ik 

adjective