diph ‧ ther ‧ i ‧ a /dɪfˈθɪəriə, dɪp- $ -ˈθɪr-/ BrE AmE 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