white plague

n.
Tuberculosis, especially of the lungs.

noun

An infectious disease producing lesions especially of the lungs: consumption (no longer in scientific use), phthisic (no longer in scientific use), phthisis (no longer in scientific use), tuberculosis. See health/sickness.

n.

Tuberculosis, especially of the lungs.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: involving the lungs with progressive wasting of the body
  Synonyms: pulmonary tuberculosis, consumption, phthisis, wasting disease

Meaning #2: an addiction to a drug (especially a narcotic drug)
  Synonym: drug addiction

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