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Definition of "peritonitis" [per•i•to•ni•tis]

  • Inflammation of the peritoneum. (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 "peritonitis" in a sentence
  • "What is known is that he died of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix on October 31, 1926 at age 52."
  • "If 'peritonitis' -- inflammation -- is neglected, or drastic purgatives are too often and too plentifully administered, a peculiar contraction of the muscular membrane of the intestine takes place, and one portion of the bowel is received within another -- there is 'intussusception'."
  • "It causes a toxic condition called peritonitis and sepsis."