enema

[ en-uh-muh ]

noun

, Medicine/Medical.

1. the injection of a fluid into the rectum to cause a bowel movement.
2. the fluid injected.
3. Also called enema bag. a rubber bag or other device for administering an enema.

enema

/ ˈɛnɪmə /

noun

1. the introduction of liquid into the rectum to evacuate the bowels, medicate, or nourish
2. the liquid so introduced

Word History and Origins

Origin of enema¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from Late Latin, from Greek: “injection,” from en- en- ² + (h)e- (stem of hiénai “to send, throw”) + -ma, noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of enema¹

C15: from New Latin, from Greek: injection, from enienai to send in, from hienai to send

Example Sentences

Trump can claim that he is Jesus, that the Earth is flat, and that a chlorine enema can cure cancer; there's little the courts can do.

From Salon

She had an enema — a procedure where fluids are used to cleanse or stimulate the emptying of bowels — to alleviate her constipation, but Angelica continued to plead with them that she was in pain.

From Seattle Times

Coffee enemas in particular have caused severe inflammation of the rectum and colon and even death.

From Seattle Times

The liquid nutritional supplement “would have acted just like an enema, and it would been expelled.”

From New York Times

‘A film shouldn’t be like an enema,’ says writer-director Scott Cooper.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dose
• needle