kala azar

kala azar

See also: kala-azar

English

Alternative forms

• kala-azar

Etymology

From Hindi काला (kālā, “black”) + आज़ार (āzār, “fever”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌkɑːlə əˈzɑː/

Noun

kala azar (uncountable)

1. (medicine) Visceral leishmaniasis.
   • 1982, TC Boyle, Water Music, Penguin 2006, p. 298:

     A chronic disease, invariably fatal, kala azar makes its presence known by the appearance of pustulating epidermal ulcers, marasmus and enlargement of the spleen.

   • 2011, Deepika Phukan, translating Arupa Patangia Kalita, The Story of Felanee:

     Ratanmala was afraid of these but what frightened her even more was the fever, kala azar, which had taken so many lives including that of her uncle's first born.