Ornithosis
/ˌɔːr.nɪˈθoʊ.sɪs/noun
A disease in humans caused by infection from certain birds, especially parrots and pigeons.
Did you know?Ornithosis comes from Greek ornith- meaning “bird,” a root that also gave us words like ornithology and ornithopter—proof that language can turn birds into both science and danger.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ornis / ornith-
“bird”
Late 19th Century
Scientific Latin
ornith-
“bird- as a learned combining form used in scientific naming”
20th Century
English
ornithosis
“a bird-borne infectious disease in humans”
Modern English
English
ornithosis
“a disease transmitted from birds to humans, especially psittacosis-like infections”
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