Diarrheal

/ˌdaɪəˈriəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or causing diarrhea, a medical condition with loose or frequent bowel movements.

Etymology

From Greek 'diarrhoia' (flowing through) from 'dia-' (through) + 'rhein' (to flow) + English suffix '-al'.

Kelly Says

The literal Greek meaning 'flowing through' is wonderfully accurate—ancient doctors created a term that describes exactly what the condition does, showing how medical language can be poetically scientific.

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