noun
edema
ih-DEE-muh/ɪˈdiːmə/
Swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues.
Edema swells the man's ankle, leaving a lingering dent where a fingertip presses.
Etymology
Greek oidēma named a swelling. The medical meaning specifies what produces the swelling: excessive fluid accumulating in tissue spaces or a body cavity.
In context
hours later, the chemical reaction causes the lungs to fill with fluid, resulting in delayed, often fatal, pulmonary edema.
More examples
- Edema can make shoes feel tight.
- Elevating his legs helps reduce the edema.
- Severe edema can leave a dent when the skin is pressed.
Forms
edema · edemas · edemata
edematous adjective — Swollen because of excess fluid in tissues.
Similar words
- swelling
- Broader term for enlargement, not necessarily caused by excess fluid.
- puffiness
- Describes a mildly swollen appearance rather than a specific medical condition.