illness
UK: ˈɪlnəs | US: ˈɪlnəs
n. a state of poor health or disease
n. a specific ailment or medical condition
The word "illness" originates from Old English yfelnes, combining yfel (evil, bad, or sick) and the suffix -nes (used to form abstract nouns). Over time, yfel evolved into "ill," retaining its meaning of poor health, while -nes became "-ness," a productive suffix in Modern English for denoting states or qualities. The term reflects the historical association between sickness and moral or physical "badness."
Her prolonged illness kept her away from work for months.
Mental illness requires as much care as physical illness.
The doctor diagnosed his illness as a rare autoimmune disorder.
Vaccines help prevent serious illnesses in children.
He overcame his illness through determination and proper treatment.