disease

disease /diˈzi:z/ n. 1.［u］疾病(通称): Disease is usually caused by germs. 疾病通常是由细菌引起的。 The business of doctors is to prevent and cure disease. 医生的业务就是防病治病。2.［c］某种疾病: Most diseases could be wiped out. 大多数疾病是可以治好的。Some skin diseases are difficult to treat.有些皮肤病很难根治。

［辨析］disease指具体的疾病，是个专业性词汇，如：an occupational disease 职业病；a chronic disease 慢性病；a contagious disease 传染病；可与catch, die of, suffer from, cure搭配。 illness有可能是disease所引起的生病的状态、时间和不适。sickness指恶心，呕吐，表示急性病的外因，如晕船(车)、胃病等。