释义 |
aph·tha \ˈafthə, ˈapthə\ noun also ap·tha \ˈap-\ (plural aph·thae \-ˌthē\) Etymology: New Latin, back-formation from Late Latin aphthae, plural, from Greek aphthai, plural of aphtha, perhaps from haptein to fasten, seize, set on fire — more at hapto- 1. : a speck, flake, or blister on the mucous membranes (as in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract or on the lips) characteristic of some diseases (as thrush) 2. : one of the vesicles filled with clear serous fluid that occur in the mouth, on the udder, and in the spaces between the digits of cloven-footed animals in certain diseases — usually used in plural 3. : a disease characterized by aphthae (as foot-and-mouth disease) • aph·thic \-_thik\ adjective |