noun
rheumatism
ROO-muh-tiz-um/ˈruːmətɪzəm/
Painful inflammation or stiffness in muscles and joints.
The woman's rheumatism leaves her wrist painful and her swollen fingers stiff.
Etymology
The connection with bodily flow reflects an old medical explanation: rheumatism was thought to result from excessive rheum entering a joint and stretching its ligaments, producing pain.
In context
One of the earliest was muscular rheumatism. They used this term for widespread pain that wasn't in the joints
More examples
- He uses a heating pad to ease his rheumatism.
- Rheumatism keeps her from knitting for long periods.
- She asks her doctor about treatment for rheumatism.
Forms
rheumatic adjective — Relating to or affected by rheumatism.
Similar words
- arthritis
- Specifically names joint inflammation, rather than muscle pain or stiffness.
- soreness
- Describes general tenderness or pain, often after physical exertion.