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Glite Dictionary
Middle East respiratory syndrome

Middle East respiratory syndrome

4.0
A viral illness that causes fever, cough, and breathing problems and often spreads from camels to people
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪdəl iːst rɪˈspɪrətɔri ˈsɪndroʊm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : síndrome respiratorio de Oriente Medio
  • Researchers are studying ways to prevent the spread of Middle East respiratory syndrome from camels to humans.

Examples

  • The virus responsible for Middle East respiratory syndrome is closely related to SARS-CoV.

  • Health authorities took action when cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome were reported in the city.

  • The outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome raised concerns globally.

  • Doctors are studying Middle East respiratory syndrome to understand its effects.

  • Health authorities took action when cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome were reported in the city.

  • Researchers are studying ways to prevent the spread of Middle East respiratory syndrome from camels to humans.

  • The outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome raised concerns globally.

Synonyms

MERS
vsMiddle East respiratory syndrome
  • Specialized
11 7.2

A serious lung disease caused by a virus that often passes from camels to people

is the full formal name rather than the short abbreviation
camel flu
vsMiddle East respiratory syndrome
  • Specialized
6.7

A lung disease caused by a virus that people can catch from camels

is the formal medical name rather than the informal nickname

Surface Forms

Middle East respiratory syndrome singular
Middle East respiratory syndromes plural

Morphology

middle + East + respiratory + syndrome

The phrase is fully compositional: 'Middle East' names the region, 'respiratory' describes the breathing-related system, and 'syndrome' indicates a set of symptoms. A B1 learner who knows these constituents can infer it refers to a breathing-related illness associated with the Middle East (even if they may not know the specific virus).

Etymology

Middle East respiratory syndrome gets its name from where and what the illness does: it was first found in the Middle East, and it affects the respiratory parts of the body, causing 'breathing' problems like 'cough' and shortness of breath, so the name points to the place and the kind of illness.