flu

flu · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A common infectious viral illness causing fever, body aches, and respiratory symptoms; short for influenza.

  2. 2.

    Any illness with similar symptoms.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    flu season — the time of year when flu is most common
  • •
    flu shot — a vaccination against influenza
  • •
    stomach flu — a viral gastroenteritis (not actually influenza)
  • •
    come down with the flu — to become ill with flu

Related words

See also: cold, fever, influenza, virus
Synonyms: grippe, influenza

Etymology

Short for influenza, from Italian influenza ("influence"), from Medieval Latin influentia, referring to the belief that epidemics were caused by the influence of the stars.