or·thop·nea noun alsoor·thop·noea\ȯ(r)ˈthäpnēə also ˌȯ(r)ˌthäpˈnēə or ˌȯ(r)thəˈn-\ (-s) Etymology: Latin orthopnoea, from Greek orthopnoia, from orth- + -pnoia -pnea : inability to breathe except in an upright position (as in congestive heart failure) • or·thop·ne·icalsoor·thop·noe·ic\| ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ik\adjective