sitz bath

[ sits, zits ]

noun

1. a chairlike bathtub in which the thighs and hips are immersed in warm water, usually as part of a therapeutic treatment.
2. the bath so taken.

sitz bath

/ zɪts; sɪts /

noun

1. a bath in which the buttocks and hips are immersed in hot water, esp for therapeutic effects, as after perineal or pelvic surgery

Word History and Origins

Origin of sitz bath¹

1840–50; half adoption, half translation of German Sitzbad, equivalent to sitz ( en ) to sit ¹ + Bad bath ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sitz bath¹

half translation of German Sitzbad, from Sitz seat + Bad bath ¹

Example Sentences

The sitz bath was underwhelming, but I enjoyed the novelty of the vapor cabinet, where I sat sweating with my head in a wooden yoke.

From Washington Post

When people went to their doctors with an outbreak, “They were told to go home and have a sitz bath and pretty much keep it clean and dry. That was pretty much it: keep it clean and dry,” Gillespie remembered.

From Slate

Have a serious conversation, intensify it with an ultimatum, if necessary, and in the meantime, have yourself a good sitz bath or 12.

From Slate

When her chemo resulted in a raging case of hemorrhoids, she was grateful not to have to ask our brother, who was caring for her, to fetch her sitz bath salts and witch hazel pads.

From New York Times

The doctor recommended a sitz bath.

From Seattle Times