plural phthises
ˈthī-ˌsēz 
ˈtī-,
ˈthi-,
ˈti-
: a progressively wasting or consumptive condition
especially
: pulmonary tuberculosis
Examples of phthisis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The disease was known as phthisis to the ancient Greeks and the physician Hippocrates reports that many in his homeland succumbed to the illness.
—
Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024
Bleeding and mercury have had their day; cod liver oil and chloral hydrate are already on the wane; alcohol and bullock's blood are now in vogue among the Parisians—the former for fevers and all inflammatory affections, and the latter for anaemia and pulmonary phthisis.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2022
It has been documented in humans for thousands of years under various names—including consumption, phthisis and the White Plague—and was the leading infectious killer in the world (above HIV) until 2020, when Covid-19 claimed the top spot.
—Robert Hart, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021
Doctors like the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates noted tuberculosis, or phthisis (from the Greek phthinein for wasting), appeared to be most fatal in young adults.
—Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 10 May 2019
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024
Bleeding and mercury have had their day; cod liver oil and chloral hydrate are already on the wane; alcohol and bullock's blood are now in vogue among the Parisians—the former for fevers and all inflammatory affections, and the latter for anaemia and pulmonary phthisis.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2022
It has been documented in humans for thousands of years under various names—including consumption, phthisis and the White Plague—and was the leading infectious killer in the world (above HIV) until 2020, when Covid-19 claimed the top spot.
—Robert Hart, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021
Doctors like the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates noted tuberculosis, or phthisis (from the Greek phthinein for wasting), appeared to be most fatal in young adults.
—Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 10 May 2019
Cite this Entry
“Phthisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phthisis. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
phthisis
noun
phthi·sis
ˈt(h)ī-səs
ˈt(h)is-əs
ˈt(h)is-əs
plural phthises
ˈt(h)ī-ˌsēz
ˈt(h)is-ˌēz
ˈt(h)is-ˌēz
: a progressively wasting or consumptive condition
especially
: pulmonary tuberculosis
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share