Gingivitis
/ˌdʒɪn.dʒɪˈvaɪ.tɪs/noun
Inflammation of the gums.
Did you know?The word is built from Latinized medical Greek roots, and its ending -itis is the same ancient inflammation marker seen in words like arthritis and tonsillitis.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
gingīva
“gum”
Late Latin
Latin
gingīva
“gum”
19th Century
English
gingivitis
“a medical term for inflammation of the gums”
Modern English
English
gingivitis
“inflammation of the gums”
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