malaria

noun mah-LAH-ryah Rare

Origin: From Italian mala aria (bad air), the pre-germ-theory explanation for the disease.

Usage Note

Malaria is a feminine noun and historically gave English its borrowed term directly. Its Italian etymology (mala = bad, aria = air) reflects the miasma theory. In Italian it is always used with the feminine article: la malaria. The plural malarie exists but is rare.

Examples

"La malaria è trasmessa dalle zanzare."

Natural Translation

Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes.

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