whooping cough

== English == === Alternative forms === whooping-cough, hooping-cough === Etymology === From whooping +‎ cough, from the characteristic-sounding cough that is a major symptom. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈhuːpɪŋ ˌkɒf/ (Conservative RP) IPA(key): /ˈhuːpɪŋ ˌkɔːf/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈhuːpɪŋ ˌkɔf/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈwʊpɪŋ ˌkɔf/ === Noun === whooping cough (countable and uncountable, plural whooping coughs) (pathology) A contagious disease of the respiratory system that usually affects children caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, the advanced stage of which is characterised by spasms of coughing followed by a whooping sound during the intake of breath. ==== Synonyms ==== pertussis (jargon); chink cough, chin cough (archaic) ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === Pertussis on Wikipedia.Wikipedia