WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

ARDS
    n 1: acute lung injury characterized by coughing and rales;
         inflammation of the lungs which become stiff and fibrous
         and cannot exchange oxygen; occurs among persons exposed to
         irritants such as corrosive chemical vapors or ammonia or
         chlorine etc. [syn: adult respiratory distress syndrome,
         ARDS, wet lung, white lung]