病魔(びょうま) びょうま noun disease (personified); the grip of illness formalhealth 1. disease (personified as a demon); the grip of illness Serious illness spoken of as an evil force that attacks a person. A literary word, common in news and obituaries. 病魔(びょうま)と闘(たたか)う。 To fight a serious illness. 病魔(びょうま)に倒(たお)れた作家(さっか)。 A writer struck down by illness. 彼(かれ)は長年(ながねん)病魔(びょうま)と闘(たたか)いながらも、最後(さいご)まで作品(さくひん)を書(か)き続(つづ)けた。 Though he fought illness for many years, he kept writing to the very end. Etymology病(びょう) (illness) + 魔(ま) (demon).Common collocations病魔(びょうま)と闘(たたか)う (to fight a serious illness)病魔(びょうま)に侵(おか)される (to be stricken by disease)病魔(びょうま)に倒(たお)れる (to be struck down by illness)病魔(びょうま)に打(う)ち勝(か)つ (to overcome an illness)RegisterLiterary and dramatic; used of grave illnesses, not colds. Everyday speech says 病気(びょうき). general Added 2026.10.12 4:25 · Revised 2026.10.12 4:27 31500/31922_byouma