pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative forms 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Pronunciation 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Usage notes 1.4.2 Translations 1.4.3 References

English

Alternative forms

• pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcano-coniosis
• pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis
• P45

Etymology

Coined by Everett K Smith, President of the National Puzzlers’ League, at their convention in 1935, from Ancient Greek πνεύμων (pneumōn), “‘lung’”) + Latin ultra (“‘beyond’”) + English microscopic + silico- + volcano + Ancient Greek κόνις (konis), “‘dust’”) + English -osis.

Pronunciation

Noun

pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (uncountable)

1. (nonce) A disease of the lungs, caused by inhaling mineral or metallic dust, such as silicon and quartzite. The silicates then lacerate the lining of the lungs, causing the victim to leak air from their lungs while simultaneously bleeding into their lung cavity.

Usage notes

Translations

References

• Notes:

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} The Oxford English Dictionary [Second Edition]