emphysema Hear it!

emphysema definition

em·phy·sema (em′fə sē′mə; -zē′-)

noun

  1. an abnormal swelling of body tissues caused by the accumulation of air; esp., such a swelling of the lung tissue, due to the permanent loss of elasticity, or the destruction, of the alveoli, which seriously impairs respiration
  2. heaves

Etymology: ModL < Gr emphysēma, inflation < emphysaein, to inflate, blow in < en-, in + physaein, to blow < IE *phus- < base *pu-, *phu-, echoic of blowing with puffed cheeks

Related Forms:

  • emphysematous em′·phy·se′ma·tous (-sē′mə təs, -sem′-) adjective
  • emphysemic em′·phy·se′mic adjective, noun

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