edema

[ ih-dee-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural e·de·mas, e·de·ma·ta [ih-, dee, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. effusion of serous fluid into the interstices of cells in tissue spaces or into body cavities.
2. Plant Pathology.
   1. a small surface swelling of plant parts, caused by excessive moisture.
   2. any disease so characterized.

edema

/ ɪˈdɛmətəs; ɪˈdiːmə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of oedema

edema

/ ĭ-dē′mə /

1. An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or body cavities. Edema can be mild and benign as in pregnancy or prolonged standing in the elderly, or a serious sign of heart, liver, or kidney failure, or of other diseases.

Derived Forms

• edematous, adjective

Other Words From

• e·dem·a·tous [ih-, dem, -, uh, -t, uh, s, ih-, dee, -m, uh, -], e·dem·a·tose [ih-, dem, -, uh, -tohs, ih-, dee, -m, uh, -], adjective
• pseudo·e·dema noun plural pseudoedemata

Word History and Origins

Origin of edema¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from New Latin oedēma, from Greek oídēma “a swelling,” equivalent to oidē- (variant stem of oideîn “to swell”) + -ma noun suffix

Example Sentences

He was diagnosed with nerve inflammation and edema and told to rest.

From Seattle Times

He said that Mr. Tin Oo had a weak heart and died of kidney failure and pulmonary edema.

From New York Times

This system allows for prolonged preservation of longer than 12 hours without creating edema or damage to the organs.

From Science Daily

"Drowning is the endpoint of death in the water, but we're trying to determine the actual cause of death: hypothermia? Hypoxia? Swimming induced pulmonary edema?"

From Science Daily

Creech’s attorneys have said he suffers from several illnesses including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and edema.

From Seattle Times