‖ dyspnœa Path.
(dɪspˈniːə)
[L. dyspnœa, a. Gr. δύσπνοια difficulty of breathing, f. δύσπνοος, f. δυσ- (dys-) + πνοή breath, breathing.]
Difficulty of breathing; laborious breathing.
| 1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Wks. Vocab., Dyspnœa, a pursiness or shortness of breathing. 1707 Floyer Physic. Pulse-Watch 144 This happens in Dyspnæas, Pains, Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, Head. 1754–64 Smellie Midwif. II. 27 She was seized with a dry cough, violent dyspnœa, etc. 1843 Sir T. Watson Lect. Princ. & Pract. Phys. xxxviii. (L.), In dyspnœa the breathing is almost always difficult when the patient is lying flat on his back. 1890 Lancet 27 Sept. 663/2 Obesity develops the systemic circulation to the full capacity of the lungs, so that the least exertion will produce dyspnœa. |
Hence dyspˈnœal a., of or belonging to dyspnœa; dyspˈnœic [Gr. δυσπνο{giuml}κός] (also erron. dyspˈnœtic, -etic) a., of the nature of, characteristic of, accompanied by, or affected with dyspnœa.
| 1822–34 Good Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 467 Gold-refiners become dyspnœtic from inhaling the vapour of aquafortis. 1866 A. Flint Princ. Med. (1800) 245 Diseases terminating rapidly with dyspnœic symptoms. 1874 Jones & Siev. Pathol. Anat (ed. 4) 31 Without experiencing any notable dyspnœal distress. |