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Glite Dictionary
Asian influenza

Asian influenza

4.1
A worldwide flu illness that began in Asia in 1957 and spread to many countries
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪʒən ˌɪnfluˈɛnzə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : influenza asiática
  • The outbreak of Asian influenza in 1957 resulted in widespread illness across many countries.

Examples

  • Scientists studied the H2N2 strain responsible for Asian influenza to improve vaccine development.

  • Many people recall the rapid global spread of Asian influenza during the late 1950s.

  • The Asian influenza outbreak was alarming!

  • Many people were affected by Asian influenza during the pandemic.

  • Many people recall the rapid global spread of Asian influenza during the late 1950s.

  • The outbreak of Asian influenza in 1957 resulted in widespread illness across many countries.

  • Scientists studied the H2N2 strain responsible for Asian influenza to improve vaccine development.

Synonyms

flu
vsAsian influenza
354 1.0

A common contagious illness that causes fever, aches, and coughs

is the specific 1957 H2N2 pandemic rather than the general informal illness term
influenza
vsAsian influenza
  • Specialized
50 3.3

A contagious illness caused by a virus that gives fever, body aches, and cough

refers specifically to the 1957 H2N2 pandemic not the illness in general
Asiatic flu
vsAsian influenza
3.6

A type of flu first identified in 1957 that caused a worldwide outbreak

is the same pandemic but uses the other historical name

Surface Forms

Asian influenza singular
Asian influenzas plural

Morphology

Asian + influenza

The meaning 'a type of influenza originating in Asia' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'Asian' (pertaining to Asia) with 'influenza' (a flu). This geographic-specifier + disease pattern is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Asian influenza literally names a flu (influenza) that first appeared in Asia in 1957. Because the illness 'started' there and then spread to many countries, people called that outbreak Asian influenza, so the name tells us where the disease came from.