Understand that 'consumptive' often appears in historical texts referring to tuberculosis. 19th-century novels describe characters as consumptive, revealing tuberculosis was then common.
Pro Tip 2/3
Medical Context
Used more in past medical discussions, now 'tuberculosis' is more common in modern usage. Victorian doctors discussed the treatment of consumptive symptoms frequently.
Pro Tip 3/3
Serious Tone
Carries a grave connotation, referencing a serious and deadly historical disease. Novels rarely portrayed consumptive characters humorously due to the disease's severity.