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Definition of "influenza" []

  • An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain, and prostration. Also called grippe. (noun)
  • Any of various viral infections of domestic animals characterized generally by fever and respiratory involvement. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "influenza" in a sentence
  • "The name influenza comes from the Italian: influenza, meaning"
  • "The name influenza comes from the Italian: influenza, meaning "influence" (Latin: influentia)."
  • "“The word influenza comes from the Old Italian,” she said."