Peccant


Unhealthy. Causing illness or disease.

“…the subtile parts of the tobacco in inspiration are carried into the trachea and lungs, where they loosen the peccant humours adhering thereto, and promote expectoration.” (From the entry to tobacco in the First Edition of the Encyclop�dia Britannica, 1771)

The word peccant comes from the Latin peccans, from peccare (to sin, to commit a fault, to stumble). Peccant involves stumbling of a sort — falling into unhealthy behavior.

Read Also:

  • Pecs

    Slang for the pectoral muscles, muscles of the “anterior chest” (the front of the chest). The Latin “pectus” means “chest.”

  • Pectoral muscles

    Muscles of the “anterior chest” (the front of the chest). Familiarly called the pecs. The Latin “pectus” means “chest.”

  • Pectoralis muscle absence with syndactyly

    191, 1841). Poland became a celebrated surgeon and ophthalmologist but had to retire in 1867 due to a chronic cough. He died in 1872 at the age of 51 of “consumption of the lungs” (pulmonary tuberculosis). Although Poland could never have discovered this syndrome without George Elt, Mr. Elt has not been credited nor has […]

  • Pectus carinatum

    Pigeon-breasted. In Latin “pectus” means “chest” and “carina” keel = a chest shaped like the keel of a boat (looking at the keel from outside the boat). While it is generally asymptomatic, patients may be short of breath and feel heart palpitations. Wheezing, asthma and pulmonary problems may occur.

  • Pectus excavatum

    Caved-in or funnel chest. The Latin “pectus” means “chest.” The chest is excavated. It looks as if it has been dug or hollowed out. A congenital malformation of the chest wall characterized by a funnel-shaped depression with its apex over the lower end of the sternum. It is caused by shortening of the central portion […]


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