diph‧ther‧i‧a /dɪfˈθɪəriə, dɪp- $ -ˈθɪr-/
noun [uncountable][
Date: 1800-1900;
Language: Modern Latin;
Origin: Greek diphthera 'leather'; because of the hardened skin in the throat]
a serious infectious throat disease that makes breathing difficult
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲