noun
influenza
in-floo-EN-zuh/ˌɪnfluˈenzə/
A contagious viral respiratory illness that causes fever and body aches.
Influenza often causes a sudden fever, body aches, and fatigue.
Etymology
Italian influenza meant a visitation or influence, especially of the stars. Its use for disease reflected beliefs in astral, occult, or atmospheric influences, and the name survives for an illness now known to be viral.
In context
called the Spanish Flu across 1918 this particularly deadly strain of influenza spreads globally
More examples
- An annual vaccine helps protect against influenza.
- She stays home while she recovers from influenza.
- Influenza can spread when an infected person coughs.
Forms
influenza
Similar words
- flu
- The everyday name for the same viral illness.