diathesis
/daɪˈæθ.ə.sɪs/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
διατίθημι (diatithēmi) — to arrange, dispose, or set in order
Overview
Meaning Now
- A hereditary or constitutional predisposition to a particular disease or condition.
- The grammatical voice or category that indicates the relationship between the subject and the action of the verb.
Literal older meaning
a putting in order, arrangement, or disposition
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
diathesis
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term has two distinct trajectories: one in medical pathology referring to a person's vulnerability to certain illnesses, and one in linguistics referring to the voice of a verb (active, passive, middle). Both rely on the root meaning of 'arrangement' or 'state'.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
διάθεσις (diathesis)
“disposition, arrangement”
Derived from dia- 'through' + tithenai 'to place'.
- Late Latin
diathesis
“constitutional state or condition”
Used in medical contexts to describe bodily humors.
- English, 17th century
diathesis
“predisposition to disease”
Direct loan from Latin/Greek.
Connections
Word parts
dia-
prefix
through, apart
tithenai
root
to place
-sis
suffix
state, condition, or action
Related across languages
French
diathèse
diathesis (medical or grammatical)
German
Diathese
grammatical voice
Related words
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Related to diathesis
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.