Word Study
-itis
CIDE DICTIONARY
-itis, [Gr. 'i`tis, orig, fem. adjective suffix.].
A suffix used in medical terms to denote an inflammatory disease of ; as, arthritis; bronchitis, phrenitis, nephritis. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
-itis, suffix forming nouns, esp.:
1 names of inflammatory diseases (appendicitis; bronchitis).
2 colloq. in extended uses with ref. to conditions compared to diseases (electionitis).
1 names of inflammatory diseases (appendicitis; bronchitis).
2 colloq. in extended uses with ref. to conditions compared to diseases (electionitis).
Etymology
Gk -itis, forming fem. of adjectives in -ites (with nosos 'disease' implied)
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