Diabetes Mellitus (noun): An endocrine disorder marked by inability to maintain glucose homeostasis. The type I form results from autoimmune destruction of insulin secreting cells; treatment usually requires insulin injections several times a day. The type II form most commonly results from reduced responsiveness of target cells to insulin; obesity and lack of exercise are risk factors. 

Diabetes, from the Greek diabainein, to pass through, refers to the copious urination that occurs. 

Mellitus, from the greek meli, honey, refers to the presence of sugar in urine. 

While it is important to know exactly what Diabetes is, where it comes from, and where it's going, it is just as important to not let that definition take over your life. A diabetic should not be known forever and always as that one person who has diabetes in my biology class, but instead as Sally, or Greg, or whatever you like to be called. We are faced with this each and every day, and it is this definition that we need to break through and prove to the world that we do not let diabetes define us, but instead that we define Diabetes. 

My Definition:

Diabetes: only a small sliver of who I am and what i will become. 

Please share your definitions if you would like! 

Thank's for reading! 

Skyler :]

(Scientific) Definition courtesy of :

Campell, Reece

AP Edition Biology Seventh Edition.