lymph

¹

[ limf ]

noun

1. Anatomy, Physiology. a clear yellowish, slightly alkaline, coagulable fluid, containing white blood cells in a liquid resembling blood plasma, that is derived from the tissues of the body and conveyed to the bloodstream by the lymphatic vessels.
2. Archaic. the sap of a plant.
3. Archaic. a stream or spring of clear, pure water.

lymph-

²

1. variant of lympho- before a vowel:

   lymphoma.

lymph

/ lɪmf /

noun

1. the almost colourless fluid, containing chiefly white blood cells, that is collected from the tissues of the body and transported in the lymphatic system

lymph

/ lĭmf /

1. The clear fluid flowing through the lymphatic system that serves to bathe and nourish the tissues of the body. It is composed of blood plasma that has leaked out through the capillaries into the tissues.

lymph

1. A clear, colorless fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system . Lymph fills the tissue spaces of the body.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lymph¹

1620–30; < Latin lympha water (earlier *limpa; limpid ); pseudo-Greek form, by association with nympha < Greek nýmphē nymph

Word History and Origins

Origin of lymph¹

C17: from Latin lympha water, from earlier limpa influenced in form by Greek numphē nymph

Example Sentences

The “Fuller House” actor said he was diagnosed with the blood cancer in October after contracting an upper respiratory infection that caused major swelling in his lymph nodes.

From Los Angeles Times

By October 2023, her scans showed that the cancer had metastasized up her spine, through her hips, into her lymph nodes and “almost everywhere but my brain.”

From Los Angeles Times

I’m currently really deep into all things lymph and hormones.

From Los Angeles Times

He was treated with surgery, but three years later the disease had spread to his lymph nodes.

From BBC

It can cause symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and lesions across the body.

From BBC