Hemorrhoids

/ˈhɛmərɔɪdz/ noun

Definition

Swollen blood vessels in or around the anus that can be painful or itchy; also called 'piles'.

Etymology

From Greek 'haimorroissa' meaning 'flowing with blood,' combining 'haima' (blood) and 'rhoia' (flowing). The medical term was borrowed directly into English in the Middle Ages.

Kelly Says

This condition is so common that about 50% of adults will experience it by age 50, yet we rarely talk about it due to embarrassment—it's one of medicine's most prevalent silence-kept secrets.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.