phthisical, a.
(ˈtɪzɪkəl)
Forms: 7 tizicall, ptisical(l, phthysical, 7–8 tissical, 7– phthisical, 8 pht-, pthisical.
[f. prec. + -al1.]
Of the nature of or pertaining to phthisis.
| 1611 Cotgr., Phtisique, Tysicall. 1658 R. White tr. Digby's Powd. Symp. (1660) 40 Half of them who dye in London, dye of phthisicall and pulmonicall distempers. 1659 T. Pecke Parnassi Puerp. 174 When Tissical distempers stopt my Breath. 1793 Beddoes Consumpt. 135 The phthisical inflammation may so alter the structure of the lungs. 1839 F. H. Ramadge Curab. Consumpt. (1861) 52 There was old phthisical disease in the summit of both lungs. |
b. Of persons: Affected with or having a tendency to phthisis; consumptive. Of a house: where phthisis exists.
| 1651 French Distill. ii. 50 This Water..is very good for those that are ptisicall. 1709–10 Addison Tatler No. 121 ¶1 Poor Cupid..has always been Phtisical, and..we are afraid it will end in a Consumption. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxiii. 283 You will frequently find that he will die phthisical. 1899 Times 14 Jan. 8/6 The visitation of phthisical houses was not only practicable, but was of as great importance to the public weal as similar visits in houses where fever or enteric fever had occurred. |
c. fig.
| 1642 Milton Apol. Smect. iii. 28 He will bestow on us a pretty modell of himselfe: and sobs me out halfe a dozen tizicall mottoes where ever he had them. a 1849 H. Coleridge Poems (1850) II. 254 His wasp-stung wits were grown so quaint and phthisical. 1887 Fortn. Rev. Sept. 427 That phthisical Idealism which claimed the empire in despite of Nature. |