How to Pronounce Pertussis
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Pertussis Pronunciation
per-TUS-is
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
per
TUS
stress here
is
3 syllables
What is Pertussis?
Also known as whooping cough, this highly contagious respiratory disease is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It causes severe coughing fits that can end with a "whooping" sound when inhaling and is particularly dangerous for infants; it is preventable by vaccination.
Questions About Pertussis
How do you pronounce 'pertussis'?
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Pertussis is pronounced per-TUS-is. Say it like "pur" (rhymes with "fur"), then "TUSS" (rhymes with "fuss"), then "is" (like the word "is"). The stress falls on the middle syllable, so TUS gets the strongest emphasis.
How many syllables does 'pertussis' have?
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Pertussis has three syllables: per-TUS-sis. When you say it slowly, you'll hear three separate beats.
Which syllable is stressed in 'pertussis'?
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The middle syllable, TUS, is stressed—that's the one you emphasize when you say the word. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable (PER-tus-sis), but the correct way is per-TUS-sis.
What does 'pertussis' mean in everyday language?
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Pertussis is the medical name for whooping cough, a serious respiratory infection. Most people know it by its common name, 'whooping cough,' rather than the Latin-based medical term.
What is the origin of the word 'pertussis'?
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Pertussis comes from Latin. The prefix 'per-' means "through" or "thoroughly," and 'tussis' means "cough." So the word literally describes a very thorough or intense cough.
Are there other medical words related to 'pertussis'?
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Yes—'tussis' is the Latin root for cough, so you'll find it in other cough-related words like 'antitussive' (something that helps stop coughs). Understanding that 'tussis' means cough can help you recognize these related terms.
What is the short form or abbreviation for pertussis?
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Pertussis is sometimes abbreviated as 'whooping cough' in everyday conversation, but in medical settings you might see abbreviations related to vaccines that protect against it, like 'DTaP' (which includes pertussis protection). However, pertussis itself doesn't have a standard short abbreviation.
Can you use 'pertussis' in a sentence?
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Sure! Here's an example: "The doctor explained that the vaccine helps protect against pertussis." Or: "Pertussis gets its common name from the distinctive sound some patients make when coughing."