1. A wasting disease of the lungs, especially tuberculosis; consumption.
Usage: archaic; medical; chiefly historical

Examples

• In the 19th century, phthisics was one of the leading causes of death in Europe.
• The physician diagnosed the patient with phthisics after observing the persistent cough and weight loss.
• Phthisics claimed many lives before modern antibiotics became available.
• The sanatorium was built to treat patients suffering from phthisics.
• Literature of the Romantic era often depicted young heroines dying of phthisics.