Definition

A serious illness caused by a toxin found in improperly preserved or contaminated food, leading to symptoms like nausea, weakness, and vision problems.

Example

The doctor warned us about the risks of botulism from eating canned foods that were not processed correctly.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of botulism?

Yeah, I think it's some kind of food poisoning, right?

Exactly! It can be really dangerous if you're not careful with food.

That's scary! I always make sure to properly store my leftovers.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Botulism is derived from the Latin word "botulus" (meaning sausage). The term was coined because the disease was first associated with improperly processed sausages. Thus, botulism refers to a type of food poisoning caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, often found in contaminated food, particularly canned or preserved meats.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'botulus' which means sausage, and remember that botulism is linked to food poisoning from improperly processed sausages.

Visually Confused Words