embolism
[ˈɛmbɫ̩ɪzm̩]
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.77 in modern English
14
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An obstruction or occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus, that is by a blood clot, air bubble or other matter that has been transported by the blood stream.
noun
The insertion or intercalation of days into the calendar in order to correct the error arising from the difference between the civil year and the solar year.
noun
An intercalated prayer for deliverance from evil coming after the Lord's Prayer.
Example Sentences
Etymology
The term was coined in 1848 by Rudolf Virchow. From Old French embolisme (“intercalation of days in a calendar to correct errors”), from Late Latin embolismus, from Ancient Greek ἐμβολισμός (embolismós, “intercalary”), from ἐμβάλλω (embállō, “to insert, throw in”).
Origin
- Source language: Old French
Word Breakdown
- Root: *gʷelH-, embolisme, embolismus, ἐμβολισμός
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: [ˈɛmbɫ̩ɪzm̩]