grippe

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from French grippe, from gripper (“to seize, snatch”), from Frankish *grīpan, from Proto-Germanic *grīpaną, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰreyb- (“to grab, to grasp”). Borrowed from French into many languages of the world. More at gripe.

1. Influenza, the flu.

   “These other germs are the cause of colds and coughs and grippes.”

   “"Mid-Lent, and the Enemy grins," remarked Selwyn as he started for church with Nina and the children. Austin, knee-deep in a dozen Sunday supplements, refused to stir; poor little Eileen was now convalescent from grippe, but still unsteady on her legs; her maid had taken the grippe, and now moaned all day: "Mon dieu! Mon dieu! Che fais mourir!"”