disease

Definition

noun

a condition that stops the body from functioning in the usual way

Examples an infectious disease • She is suffering from a very serious disease of the kidneys or from a serious kidney disease. • He is a specialist in occupational diseases.

(Note The term disease is applied to all physical and mental reactions which make a person ill. Diseases with distinct characteristics have individual names. For other terms referring to disease, see words beginning with path-, patho-.)