Relating to or caused by diphtheria, a serious bacterial infection of the throat and airways.
From diphtheria (from Greek 'diphthera' meaning leather or membrane, referring to the false membranes that form in the throat). Adjective form created as diphtheria became a major public health concern.
The diphtherial membrane is one of medicine's most distinctive signs—it's a thick, leathery pseudomembrane that forms in the throat, and seeing it would have terrified doctors in the 1800s because it meant a child likely wouldn't survive.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.