What does "diathesis" mean?
A hereditary or constitutional predisposition to a disease or other disorder.
Diathesis
/daɪˈæθəsɪs/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A hereditary or constitutional predisposition to a disease or other disorder.
- Grammar: diathesis is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: a thing for, affinity, allele, allelomorph.
- Useful contrasts: immunity, resilience, resistance.
- Usage evidence: Medical materialism seems indeed a good appellation for the too simple-minded system of thought which we are considering. […] All such mental over-tensions, it says, are, when you come to the bottom of the matter, mere affairs of diathesis (auto-intoxications most probably), due to the perverted action of various glands which physiology will yet discover.
How to use "diathesis"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "diathesis" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "diathesis" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "diathesis" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A hereditary or constitutional predisposition to a disease or other disorder. countable, uncountable
"Medical materialism seems indeed a good appellation for the too simple-minded system of thought which we are considering. […] All such mental over-tensions, it says, are, when you come to the bottom of the matter, mere affairs of diathesis (auto-intoxications most probably), due to the perverted action of various glands which physiology will yet discover."
- 2 constitutional predisposition to a particular disease or abnormality wordnet
- 3 Voice (active or passive). countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Medical materialism seems indeed a good appellation for the too simple-minded system of thought which we are considering. […] All such mental over-tensions, it says, are, when you come to the bottom of the matter, mere affairs of diathesis (auto-intoxications most probably), due to the perverted action of various glands which physiology will yet discover."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "diathesis"?
Common synonyms include: a thing for, affinity, allele, allelomorph, altmann theory, animus.
How do you use "diathesis" in a sentence?
Medical materialism seems indeed a good appellation for the too simple-minded system of thought which we are considering. […] All such mental over-tensions, it says, are, when you come to the bottom of the matter, mere affairs of diathesis (auto-intoxications most probably), due to the perverted action of various glands which physiology will yet discover.
How do you pronounce "diathesis"?
Pronounced /daɪˈæθəsɪs/.
Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin diathesis, from Ancient Greek διάθεσις (diáthesis, “state, condition”), from διατίθημι (diatíthēmi, “to arrange”).