catarrhous
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to catarrh: "catarrhous" describes a condition or symptom associated with catarrh, which is an excessive discharge of mucus from the nose or throat, typically due to inflammation of the mucous membranes.
- Characterized by catarrh: It can also mean involving or causing a catarrhal state, such as in certain respiratory infections.
Usage Examples
- (The infection involved excessive mucus production.)
- (The cough was accompanied by mucus.)
Advanced Usage
- "catarrhous inflammation": a medical term for inflammation of mucous membranes that leads to increased mucus production.
- The catarrhous inflammation of the sinuses caused severe congestion. (The mucous membranes were swollen and producing excess fluid.)
Variants and Related Words
- Catarrh (n): the condition of excessive mucus discharge from the nose or throat.
- She suffered from a bad catarrh after catching a cold. (She had a runny nose and congestion.)
- Catarrhal (adj): another form of the adjective, meaning relating to or characterized by catarrh.
- The catarrhal symptoms included sneezing and a blocked nose. (The symptoms were typical of catarrh.)
- Catarrhine (adj): a biological term for a type of primate with narrow nostrils (not related to catarrh).
Synonyms
- Mucous: relating to or resembling mucus; often used in medical contexts.
- Rheumy: producing or characterized by a watery discharge (often used for eyes, but can apply to nasal passages).
- Phlegmatic: having a tendency to produce phlegm (mucus), though this is less common in modern medicine.
Related Idioms
- "catarrhous weather": (informal) a phrase sometimes used to describe damp, cold weather that triggers or worsens catarrh symptoms.
- The catarrhous weather made his allergies flare up. (The damp cold caused increased mucus production.)
Note on Usage
"Catarrhous" is a rare and somewhat archaic term, primarily found in medical or historical texts. In modern English, the more common adjective is "catarrhal", which is used in the same sense.