Disease

n. [Prefix dis and ease, q. v.; O. Fr. & Pr. desaise.] 1. Lack of ease; uneasiness; distress; trouble; trial. [Obs.] Labored long in that deep ford with long disease. Spenser. To shield thee from diseases of the world. Shak. 2. A derangement of any of the vital functions, in which their natural action is interrupted or disturbed, and causing or threatening pain and weakness; morbid or unhealthy condition; malady; distemper; sickness; — applied figuratively to the mind, to the moral character and habits, to institutions, the state, &c. Diseases desperate grown, By desperate appliances are relieved. Shak. The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public counsels have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have every where perished. Madison. Syn. — Distemper; ailing; ailment; malady; disorder; sickness; illness; indisposition. — DISEASE, DISORDER, DISTEMPER, MALADY. Disease is the leading medical term. Disorder means the same, though perhaps with some slight reference to an irregularity of the system. Distemper is now used by physicians only of the diseases of animals. Malady is not a medical term, and is less used than formerly in literature. A disease is usually deep-seated and permanent, or at least prolonged; a disorder is often slight, partial, and temporary; malady has less of a technical sense than the other terms, and refers more especially to the suffering endured. In a figurative sense we speak of a diseased mind, of disordered faculties, and of mental maladies.