25 February 2009

phthistical

(Cross-posted to LiveJournal)

An exotic variation of the more usual "phthisical"--from "phthisic":

n.
1. Variant of phthisis.
2. Archaic Any illness of the lungs or throat, such as asthma or a cough.




And now I know [that it's not that important for me to know].

'I am grown phthistical,' he began, 'from this cursed river air.'

Turn the page ...