catarrh

Borrowed from Ancient Greek κατάρροος (katárrhoos), which is derived from καταρρέω (katarrhéō, “I flow down”), which is composed of κατά (katá, “down”) and ῥέω (rhéō, “I flow”).

• IPA^(key): /kəˈtɑɹ/

catarrh (countable and uncountable, plural catarrhs)

1. (pathology) Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chapter 3:

     Jonah mixed him a pitch-like potion of gin and molasses, which he swore was a sovereign cure for all colds and catarrhs whatsoever ...

   • 1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter XII, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, OCLC 1227855:

     “Where I went wrong,” he said, still speaking in that low, husky voice as if he had been a ghost suffering from catarrh, “was in getting engaged to Phyllis Mills.”

2. A discharge of fluid associated with this condition.

• cold
• flu
• grippe, grip
• influenza
• pose
• sinusitis

• Carhart