asiatic cholera: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Historical, Technical (Medical)
Quick answer
What does “asiatic cholera” mean?
A severe, often fatal form of cholera caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, historically associated with pandemics originating in Asia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A severe, often fatal form of cholera caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, historically associated with pandemics originating in Asia.
A term used historically and medically to refer to the classic epidemic form of cholera, characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, and rapid dehydration, as distinct from milder or non-epidemic gastroenteritis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use the term in historical/medical contexts.
Connotations
Historical, potentially archaic. May carry colonial-era associations.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties, primarily found in historical texts, medical history, and older literature.
Grammar
How to Use “asiatic cholera” in a Sentence
The N spread from...An outbreak of NN was rampant in...to contract Nto die from NVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “asiatic cholera” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Asiatic cholera outbreaks were devastating.
- Victorian fears of Asiatic cholera were widespread.
American English
- Asiatic cholera pandemics changed public health.
- The 19th-century Asiatic cholera waves were deadly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, medical, or epidemiological papers discussing 19th-century pandemics.
Everyday
Extremely rare, potentially only in historical documentaries or novels.
Technical
Used in medical history and some older clinical texts; modern terminology avoids 'Asiatic'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “asiatic cholera”
- Misspelling 'asiatic' as 'asianic' or 'asistic'.
- Using it in contemporary health reports instead of 'cholera'.
- Capitalizing 'asiatic' (it is typically not capitalized in this phrase).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it refers to the same disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. The term was used historically to specify the severe, epidemic form associated with origins in Asia.
No. The modern and preferred term is simply 'cholera' or 'epidemic cholera'. Using 'Asiatic' is considered outdated and potentially stigmatizing.
Profuse, painless watery diarrhea (often described as 'rice-water stool'), vomiting, rapid dehydration, muscle cramps, and in severe cases, death within hours.
It was the cause of seven major pandemics between 1817 and the early 20th century, with the first six often specifically termed 'Asiatic cholera'.
A severe, often fatal form of cholera caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, historically associated with pandemics originating in Asia.
Asiatic cholera is usually formal, historical, technical (medical) in register.
Asiatic cholera: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.ʒiˈæt.ɪk ˈkɒl.ər.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.ʒiˈæt̬.ɪk ˈkɑː.lɚ.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ASIA was the source of the major TIC(k) (disease) known as CHOLERA.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS AN INVADER (from the East).
Practice
Quiz
Why is the term 'Asiatic cholera' considered dated in modern medical contexts?