Engorgement

/ɪnˈɡɔrdʒmənt/ noun

Definition

the state or process of becoming swollen or filled to capacity, especially with blood or other fluid.

Etymology

From engorge plus the noun suffix -ment (from Old French and Latin -mentum). This nominalization allows the action of filling to fullness to be discussed as an abstract concept or medical condition.

Kelly Says

In medical terminology, engorgement is surprisingly important—breast engorgement is a common postpartum issue, nasal engorgement causes congestion, and vascular engorgement is how some animals (like certain spiders) control their movement since they don't have muscles everywhere.

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