kəˈtär, -tȧ(r noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French catarrhe, from Late Latin catarrhus, from Greek katarrhous, katarrhoos, from katarrhein to flow down, from kata- cata- + rhein to flow — more at stream
1. : inflammation of a mucous membrane in man or animals characterized by congestion and secretion of mucus
gastrointestinal catarrh of the horse
specifically : such inflammation when chronically affecting the human nose and air passages
2. : common cold — not used technically
• ca·tarrh·al kəˈtärəl, -ȧr- adjective
• ca·tarrh·al·ly -əlē, -li adverb