Keratite
/ˈkɛr.ə.taɪt/noun
An obsolete medical term for inflammation of the cornea, now usually called keratitis.
Did you know?The Greek root keras, meaning “horn,” also produced keratin—the tough protein found in hair, nails, feathers, and the outer layer of skin.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ker-
“Horn, head, or projecting growth”
Ancient Greek
Greek
keras
“Horn; a horn-shaped object”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kerat-
“Relating to horn or horny tissue”
19th Century
Medical Latin
keratitis
“Inflammation of the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye”
19th Century
English
keratite
“An obsolete English form meaning inflammation of the cornea”
Modern English
English
keratite
“A rare or obsolete medical term, generally replaced by keratitis”