noun
hepatitis
heh-puh-TEYE-tihs
noun
1
Inflammation of the liver, often caused by a viral infection but sometimes by alcohol, toxins, or an autoimmune reaction.
"He was vaccinated against hepatitis B before traveling abroad."
"Chronic hepatitis can eventually lead to liver damage if left untreated."
How to Use Hepatitis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiver inflammation, most often caused by one of several hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, and others).
Common pairings
hepatitis vaccine
hepatitis A/B/C
chronic hepatitis
Word Forms
hepatitises plural, hepatitides plural
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He was vaccinated against _____ B before traveling abroad.
Etymology
From Greek hepar ("liver") plus the medical suffix -itis, which denotes inflammation.