emphysema

[ em-fuh-see-muh, -zee- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a chronic, irreversible disease of the lungs characterized by abnormal enlargement of air spaces in the lungs accompanied by destruction of the tissue lining the walls of the air spaces.
2. any abnormal distention of an organ, or part of the body, with air or other gas.

emphysema

/ ˌɛmfɪˈsiːmə; ˌɛmfɪˈsɛmətəs; -ˈsiː- /

noun

1. Also calledpulmonary emphysema a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are grossly enlarged, causing breathlessness and wheezing
2. the abnormal presence of air in a tissue or part

emphysema

/ ĕm′fĭ-sē′mə /

1. A chronic lung disease characterized by progressive, irreversible expansion of the alveoli with eventual destruction of alveolar tissue, causing obstruction to airflow. Patients with emphysema often have labored breathing, wheezing, chronic fatigue, and increased susceptibility to infection, and may require oxygen therapy. Long-term smoking is a common cause of emphysema.

emphysema

1. A chronic disease in which the tiny air sacs in the lungs become stretched and enlarged, so that they are less able to supply oxygen to the blood . Emphysema causes shortness of breath and painful coughing and can increase the likelihood of developing heart disease. Emphysema occurs most frequently in older men who have been heavy smokers.

Derived Forms

• emphysematous, adjective

Other Words From

• em·phy·sem·a·tous [em-f, uh, -, sem, -, uh, -t, uh, s, -, see, -m, uh, -, -, zem, -, uh, -, -, zee, -m, uh, -], adjective
• emphy·semic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphysema¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from New Latin, from Greek emphȳ́sēma “inflation,” from em- em- ² + phȳsē- (variant stem of phȳsân “to blow”) + -ma noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of emphysema¹

C17: from New Latin, from Greek emphusēma, a swelling up, from emphusan to inflate, from phusan to blow

Example Sentences

Recently I had many tests, and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema.

From Salon

David Lynch, the iconic screenwriter and director behind surrealist staples “Twin Peaks” and “Eraserhead,” has been diagnosed with emphysema — and he says it has taken a toll on his ability to direct.

From Los Angeles Times

Daniel Meehan said that as a firefighter whose relatives had emphysema, he did not smoke and did not allow cigarettes in the home.

From Seattle Times

The targeted patents cover devices that propel medicines for asthma and emphysema into the lungs or inject epinephrine to treat a severe allergic attack.

From Salon

“With this sort of male American hero, what is the reality? You live like this, you get emphysema.”

From Los Angeles Times