Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Influenza \In`flu*en"za\, n. [It. influenza influence, an
   epidemic formerly attributed by astrologers to the influence
   of the heavenly bodies, influenza. See {Influence}.] (Med.)
   An epidemic affection characterized by acute nasal catarrh,
   or by inflammation of the throat or the bronchi, and usually
   accompanied by fever.

Source : WordNet®

influenza
     n : an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease [syn: {flu},
          {grippe}]