edema
/ɪˈdiːmə/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
οἴδημα (oidēma) — a swelling, tumor
Overview
Meaning Now
- A condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body.
Literal older meaning
a swelling
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
oedema
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term is derived from the Greek verb 'oidein', meaning to swell. It was utilized in Galenic medicine to describe various forms of tissue swelling, eventually becoming a standard medical term in the Western anatomical tradition.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
οἴδημα
“swelling”
- Latin
oedema
“swelling, tumor”
Direct borrowing from Greek
- Early Modern English
oedema
“swelling”
Medical adoption
- Modern English
edema
“excess fluid in tissues”
Simplification of initial 'oe' diphthong, common in American English
Connections
Word parts
oide-
root
to swell
-ma
suffix
result of an action
Related across languages
French
oedème
edema
German
Ödem
edema
Explore next
Related to edema
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.