peritonitis

noun

peri·​to·​ni·​tis ˌper-ə-tə-ˈnī-təs How to pronounce peritonitis (audio)
: inflammation of the peritoneum

Examples of peritonitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web All of them were ear-tipped, and many looked reasonably healthy, but one of them had peritonitis and was lacking an eye. Jonathan Franzen, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023 The appendix could burst, leading to long-term hospitalization and a potentially life-threatening infection known as peritonitis. Amanda Gardner, Health, 29 Oct. 2023 Their bellies became swollen like bowling balls, a symptom characteristic of the disease feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, that is almost 100 percent fatal left untreated. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2023 An autopsy report completed this month by the Utah Medical Examiner’s office concluded that Taylor died of peritonitis, an infection of the abdomen tissue, which led to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises from a body’s response to infection. NBC news, 22 Apr. 2023 There were also far more deaths from perforated uteruses and peritonitis and conditions euphemistically called urinary infections than were ever reported in the papers, but each appalling story that came to light weighed upon the minds of young women of my generation. Joyce Johnson, The New York Review of Books, 8 June 2020 Taylor Goodridge died of peritonitis, an infection of abdomen tissue, followed by sepsis, which caused her organs to fail, in December 2022 at Diamond Ranch Academy in Utah. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 25 Apr. 2023 Symptoms of peritonitis include fatigue, nausea, vomiting and a swollen stomach, all of which Taylor complained of in the weeks leading up to her death, according to former staff members at Diamond Ranch Academy. NBC news, 22 Apr. 2023 Cynthia died of peritonitis in 1933, leaving behind three children. Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, 10 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peritonitis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peritonitis was in 1771

Dictionary Entries Near peritonitis

Cite this Entry

“Peritonitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peritonitis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peritonitis

noun
peri·​to·​ni·​tis ˌper-ət-ᵊn-ˈīt-əs How to pronounce peritonitis (audio)
: inflammation of the peritoneum

Medical Definition

peritonitis

noun
peri·​to·​ni·​tis ˌper-ət-ᵊn-ˈīt-əs How to pronounce peritonitis (audio)
: inflammation of the peritoneum

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