noun
bunion
BUN-yuhn/ˈbʌnjən/
A painful swelling at the base of the big toe.
A swollen bunion protrudes beside the man's big-toe joint.
Etymology
Bunion apparently comes from a dialect word for a lump or swelling. The general description became a name for the particular painful swelling at the base of the big toe.
In context
A common cause of foot deformity and pain is a bunion, otherwise known as a hallux valgus, where you see a valgus deformity of the big toe.
More examples
- The shoe rubbed against his bunion.
- The clinician examined the swollen bunion.
- Wide shoes gave her bunions more room.
Forms
bunion · bunions
Similar words
- blister
- A fluid-filled skin pocket, unlike a bunion at the toe joint.