English Explanatory Dictionary

chikungunya

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A viral fever caused by the Chikungunya virus, an alphavirus spread by mosquito bites.

Pronunciation

/t͡ʃɪkʊŋˈɡʊnjə/ /ˌt͡ʃɪkənˈɡʌnjə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-chikungunya.wav

Word forms

chikungunya

Etymology

Borrowed from Makonde chikungunya (“that which bends up”), apparently referring to the arthritic effects of the disease. See -kunja, a suffix related to bending. Compare Swahili kunja (“to bend, to fold”).

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