ˈdis ə n.ˌterē, -ˌteri also -_t(ə)r- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English dissenterie, from Latin dysenteria, from Greek, from dys- + enteron intestine + -ia -y — more at inter-
1. : an often epidemic or endemic disease characterized by severe diarrhea with passage of mucus and blood and often with intestinal ulceration and generalized toxemia, marked by abdominal pain and tenesmus, and usually caused by infection with pathogenic bacteria or protozoans that are spread chiefly through contaminated food or water — see amebic dysentery ; compare shigellosis
2. : diarrhea ; especially : severe diarrhea of domestic animals
3. : any of various infectious or nutritive disorders of insects (as honeybees or silkworms) characterized by the passage of excessive amounts of usually atypical frass