Here is the requested information on "polio":
1. Parts of Speech: Noun
2. Definitions:
- A highly infectious viral disease which mainly affects young children and can cause permanent paralysis.
- Short for poliomyelitis.
3. Pronunciations:
- US: /ˈpoʊlioʊ/
- UK: /ˈpəʊliəʊ/
4. Origin and Usage:
- The word "polio" comes from the Greek word "poliomyelitis" which means "gray matter inflammation of the spinal cord".
- Polio was a major public health problem in the early 20th century, causing widespread fear and panic. The development of a vaccine in the 1950s led to a dramatic decrease in the number of cases.
5. Synonyms: infantile paralysis, poliomyelitis
6. Related Words: virus, fever, nerve
7. Example Sentences:
- "He was diagnosed with polio when he was just five years old."
- "The polio vaccine has been incredibly effective in preventing the spread of the disease."
- "Polio was once a common disease, but it has now been eradicated in many parts of the world."