emphysema
/ˌɛmfɪˈsimə/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.72 in modern English
21
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
An abnormal accumulation of air or other gas in tissues, most commonly the lungs.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Ellipsis of pulmonary emphysema, a chronic lung disease, one type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "The panacinar emphysema shows higher compliance with lungs then the centriacinar emphysema 5 ."
- "His family announced the death on social media on Thursday, but provided no details. In 2024, Mr. Lynch announced that he had developed emphysema after years of smoking, and that as a result any subsequent films would have to be directed remotely."
Etymology
Multiple origins. Partially from post-Classical Latin emphȳsēma (“swelling”), from Ancient Greek ἐμφῡ́σημα (emphū́sēma), from ἐμφῡσάω (emphūsáō, “to puff up”). Also borrowed from Middle French emphysema, from the same Latin source; compare French emphysème. Attested from the late 16th century.
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
- Root: emphȳsēma, ἐμφῡ́σημα, emphysema
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌɛmfɪˈsimə/
- British English: /ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə/