Mellitus
/ˈmɛlɪtəs/noun
A medical adjective meaning sweetened with or resembling honey, especially in the term diabetes mellitus.
Did you know?Thomas Willis popularized the phrase diabetes mellitus in the 17th century after observing that some patients’ urine was remarkably sweet, attracting insects.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*melid
“Honey; a reconstructed root associated with honey and sweetness”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέλι (meli)
“Honey”
Classical Latin
Latin
mel, mellis
“Honey”
Classical Latin
Latin
mellitus
“Honey-sweet; sweetened with honey”
1670s
English/Latin
diabetes mellitus
“The medical term for diabetes characterized by sugar in the urine”
Modern English
English
mellitus
“Relating to or resembling honey, especially in medical terminology”
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