Asthma

ast′ma, n. a chronic disorder of the organs of respiration, characterised by the occurrence of paroxysms in which the breathing becomes difficult, and accompanied by wheezing and a distre ing feeling of tightne in the chest.— adjs. Asthmat′ic , -al , pertaining to or affected by asthma.— adv. Asthmat′ically . [Gr. asthma , asthmat-os — az-ein , to breathe hard, a-ein , to blow.]