acute diffuse peritonitis [L, diffundere, to pour out; Gk, peri, near, tenein, to stretch, itis, inflammation] , an acute widespread attack of peritonitis affecting most of the peritoneum and usually caused by infection or by a perforation of an abdominal organ (e.g., stomach or appendix). It is also a complication of peritoneal dialysis. Also called generalized peritonitis.
