Dys″en‐ter‐y (?), n. [L. dysenteria, Gr. �; δυσ- ill, bad + �, pl. �, intestines, fr. εντὄσ within, fr. � in, akin to E. in: cf. F. dysenterie. See Dys, and In.] (Med.) A disease attended with inflammation and ulceration of the colon and rectum, and characterized by griping pains, constant desire to evacuate the bowels, and the discharge of mucus and blood.
☞ When acute, dysentery is usually accompanied with high fevers. It occurs epidemically, and is believed to be communicable through the medium of the alvine discharges.