Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Catarrh

Catarrh , noun

[Latin catarrhus, Greek {not transcribed}, {not transcribed}, a running down, rheum, from {not transcribed}; kata` down + {not transcribed} to flow. See Stream.]

(Medicine) An inflammatory affection of any mucous membrane, in which there are congestion, swelling, and an alteration in the quantity and quality of mucus secreted; as, catarrh of the stomach; catarrh of the bladder.

In America, the term catarrh is applied especially to a chronic inflammation of, and hypersecretion fron, the membranes of the nose or air passages; in England, to an acute influenza, resulting a cold, and attended with cough, thirst, lassitude, and watery eyes; also, to the cold itself.