Halitosis
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /hæl.ɪˈtəʊ.sɪs/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Halitosis is a noun meaning (pathology) The condition of having stale or foul-smelling breath.
Meaning
(pathology) The condition of having stale or foul-smelling breath.
Example Sentences
Bad breath or halitosis is an indication of a disturbed digestive system. It is indicative of a bowel toxemia in either the small or large intestine with an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast.
For example, the word halitosis was almost completely unknown among the general public until the early 20th century when a business owner named Gerard Lambert started using it to sell a new product called Listerine. By giving a mundane fact of life (bad breath) a scientific sounding label, Lambert elevated the authority and desirability of his product many times over.
Word Forms
- halitoses
Synonyms for halitosis
Depending on context, synonyms include bromopnea, ozostomia, stomatodysodia.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include pseudohalitosis, bromopnea, bromidrosis, bromhidrosis, stomatopathy, breathlessness.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.