diabetes Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a polygenic disease characterized by abnormally high glucose levels in the blood; any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive urination and persistent thirst

WordNet

Di`a*be"tes noun
Etymology
NL., from Gr. , fr. to pass or cross over. See Diabase.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) A disease which is attended with a persistent, excessive discharge of urine. Most frequently the urine is not only increased in quantity, but contains saccharine matter, in which case the disease is generally fatal.

Webster 1913