imperial disease

Definitions

1. 1

   A disease that arises from colonial exploration and causes significant harm to an empire,…

   A disease that arises from colonial exploration and causes significant harm to an empire, especially the British Empire.

   • One should not think that the French won any final victory over "imperial diseases" in this era. A variety of respiratory illnesses, yellow fever, dysentery, and above all, malaria still killed regularly.
2. 2

   A failing to which an empire is prone.

   • ...in July 1807 we may discern the growth of a singular British imperial disease: Russophobia.
   • Certainly both superpowers suffer from the imperial diseases once so noteworthy among the Romans, the British and the French: arrogance and myopia.
3. 3

   A communicable disease that is spread to indigenous people by conquering imperial forces.

   • As Upper Egypt was now an integrated part of the empire's political and commercial system, Mamluk ships gained access to the south—facilitated by their wars on Upper Egyptian soil—and they carried imperial diseases with them.

The neighborhood