Caseous

/ˈkeɪʃəs/ adjective

Definition

Resembling or having the nature of cheese; containing or rich in casein.

Etymology

From Latin 'caseus' (cheese) + English '-ous' (having the quality of). Used in medicine and biology since the 1700s to describe cheese-like substances.

Kelly Says

In tuberculosis, 'caseous necrosis' describes a distinctive cheese-like tissue death that doctors can identify under the microscope—the similarity to cheese literally helps diagnose the disease.

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