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Dropsy: meaning, definitions and examples

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dropsy

 

[ ˈdrɒp.si ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Dropsy is an outdated term that refers to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body's tissues, resulting in swelling. This condition can be indicative of various underlying health issues, including heart, liver, or kidney problems. The term is seldom used in modern medical practice, having been largely replaced by the term 'edema'.

Synonyms

edema, fluid retention, swelling

Examples of usage

  • The patient was diagnosed with dropsy due to liver failure.
  • In old medical texts, dropsy was often treated with herbal remedies.
  • He sought help for his dropsy, which had caused significant swelling in his legs.
  • Dropsy can be alarming in appearance but is often a symptom of other conditions.

Translations

Translations of the word "dropsy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 hidropisia

🇮🇳 पानी भरना

🇩🇪 Hydropsie

🇮🇩 dropsy

🇺🇦 водянка

🇵🇱 obrzęk

🇯🇵 浮腫

🇫🇷 hydropisie

🇪🇸 hidropesía

🇹🇷 su toplama

🇰🇷 부종

🇸🇦 استسقاء

🇨🇿 vodnatelnost

🇸🇰 vodnatenie

🇨🇳 水肿

🇸🇮 vodna bolezen

🇮🇸 vökvaskemdir

🇰🇿 судың жиналуы

🇬🇪 წყლის შეკრება

🇦🇿 suyun toplanması

🇲🇽 hidropesía

Word origin

The word 'dropsy' has its roots in the Middle English term 'drophie', which came from the Old French 'drophie' and further back from the Latin 'aqua' meaning 'water'. The etymology reflects the symptomatology of the condition—an abnormal accumulation of fluid resembling drops of water. Historically, dropsy was considered a separate disease and was understood in terms of humoral theory, prevalent in ancient medicine, where it was attributed to an imbalance of bodily fluids. Over the centuries, as medical understanding advanced, the term fell out of favor, with 'edema' becoming the preferred medical terminology, highlighting the evolution of medical language in response to deeper insights into human physiology.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,335, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.