Goitre

/ˈɡwɑːtər/ noun

Definition

The British and Commonwealth spelling of goiter; an enlargement of the thyroid gland causing neck swelling.

Etymology

Same etymological origin as goiter (from French goître and Latin guttur), but represents the British English spelling convention that retains the original French -re ending instead of the American -er.

Kelly Says

The difference between American 'goiter' and British 'goitre' shows how even scientific medical terms follow regional spelling conventions—Britain and its former colonies have kept closer to French spelling patterns while American English preferred simpler endings. Medicine is actually quite culturally local!

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