illness

Everyday

1. An illness is a disease or a time of being ill (sick). tree →
2. Illness (uncountable) is the state of being unwell. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons, illnesses can be mild (a cold) or serious; some spread by germs (infectious), so washing hands, covering coughs and staying home when ill help stop them. Doctors, nurses and medicines treat illness. In everyday life, «off school because of illness». Phrases: «a serious illness», «a long illness», «recover from an illness».

Examples

• Chickenpox is a common childhood illness. tree →
• He missed a week of school because of illness. tree →
• Wash your hands to stop illness spreading. tree →
• Grandpa is getting better after his illness. tree →
• Flu is an illness caused by a virus. tree →
• Some illnesses are passed on by coughing. tree →
• Tell a teacher if you feel illness coming on. tree →
• Eating well helps your body fight illness. tree →
• The Animals heard about the Stag's illness and came to ask after his health. tree →

Note

From «ill» + «-ness»; double l and double s. Countable (an illness) or uncountable (illness in general). «Sick» and «ill» mean the same in many places, but in the UK «be sick» often means vomit.

In Jewish tradition

The psalm speaks of sickness and of God's care for someone lying in bed ill.

Interpretation. The verse is the basis for the custom of visiting the sick, and tradition says God's presence rests above the head of a sick person's bed.

Examples

• The LORD support him upon the bed of illness; mayest Thou turn all his lying down in his sickness. (Writings PSA.41.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

From «ill» + «-ness»; double l and double s. Countable (an illness) or uncountable (illness in general). «Sick» and «ill» mean the same in many places, but in the UK «be sick» often means vomit.