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Definition:
The term "pretubercular" is a colloquialism used to describe someone who is visibly unwell, often due to their condition of having a bacterial infection in the throat. It can be seen as a metaphor for someone who appears ill and actually has a serious health issue.
Example Sentence:
"I'm going to pretend I have a terrible cold to get into my house without anyone noticing."
This phrase implies that the speaker is concealing a significant illness by appearing healthy, effectively hiding their true condition. It's a play on words as "pretubercular" is often associated with symptoms such as coughing up thick mucus or sneezing frequently due to the presence of a bacteria in the throat.