a disease of the lungs, characterized by fibrosis and caused by the chronic inhalation of mineral dusts, esp. silica and asbestos
Origin of pneumoconiosisModern Latin from pneumo- + Classical Greek konia ( from konis, dust: see incinerate) + -osis
Any of several, usually occupational diseases of the lungs, such as asbestosis or silicosis, caused by prolonged inhalation of especially mineral or metallic dust particles.
Origin of pneumoconiosispneumo- Greek konis, koniā dust -osis
New Latin, from Ancient Greek Ï€Î½Îµá¿¦Î¼Î± (pneuma, “wind, breath, spirit") + ÎºÏŒÎ½Î¹Ï‚ (konis, “dust") + -osis