asthmatic

the word 'asthmatic' is built directly upon the noun 'asthma', which entered english from latin, but originates in the greek word 'ásthma', meaning 'panting' or 'short breath'. this greek term itself is derived from the verb 'aazein', meaning 'to breathe hard'. the adjectival suffix '-ic', of latin and greek origin, is then appended to form a word meaning 'pertaining to or characterized by panting or shortness of breath'. thus, the modern medical term retains a direct semantic link to the ancient description of its primary symptom.

Structure: asthmat (asthma) + ic (adjective suffix) asthmat (from greek 'asthma', meaning 'panting, shortness of breath'); ic (from latin '-icus', greek '-ikos', an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'of, pertaining to').