diabetic, a.
(daɪəˈbɛtɪk)
[a. F. diabétique (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. L. diabētic-us, f. diabetes: see prec. and -ic. The older pronunciation (daɪəˈbiːtɪk) is now only rarely used.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to diabetes or its treatment.
| 1799 Med. Jrnl. II. 88 Dr. Lubbock began to suspect it was connected with the diabetic diathesis. 1819 J. G. Children Chem. Anal. 308 The sugar of diabetic urine. 1845 tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. I. 66 Diabetic sugar..is identical in its chemical composition with sugar of grapes. |
2. Affected with diabetes.
| 1799 Med. Jrnl. II. 209 The body of my diabetic patient. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 579 This..explains the remarkable vulnerability of the tissues of diabetic persons. 1880 MacCormac Antisept. Surg. 107 Some..diseased states of the body, the diabetic for instance. |
| fig. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. iii. v, Society, long pining, diabetic, consumptive, can be regarded as defunct. |
B. n. One who suffers from diabetes.
| 1840 A. Tweedie Libr. Med. IV. 259 Exaggerated notions..of the quantity of food which diabetics consume. 1880 Beale Slight Ailm. 74 Many a diabetic can consume one pound..of rump steak at a sitting. |