rheumatism

noun

rheu·​ma·​tism ˈrü-mə-ˌti-zəm 

ˈru̇-

1

: any of various conditions characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue

muscular rheumatism

2

: rheumatoid arthritis

Examples of rheumatism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Welcoming travelers since 1766, Omni Homestead Resort is America's oldest resort and was a favorite of Thomas Jefferson’s, who resided here for three weeks to help his rheumatism. —By Devorah Lev-Tov, TIME, 25 July 2024

The root was used to help with digestion and provide relief for rheumatism. —Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024

What propelled his wanderings in later life is unknown—perhaps changing climates to treat his persistent rheumatism. —Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 June 2023

An excess of yellow bile, for instance, caused rheumatism; too much black bile caused cancer. —Jack Feerick, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Latin rheumatismus flux, rheum, from Greek rheumatismos, from rheumatizesthai to suffer from a flux, from rheumat-, rheuma flux

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rheumatism

noun

rheu·​ma·​tism ˈrü-mə-ˌtiz-əm 

: any of various conditions marked by stiffness, pain, or swelling in muscles or joints

Medical Definition

rheumatism

noun

rheu·​ma·​tism ˈrü-mə-ˌtiz-əm  ˈru̇m-ə- 

1

: any of various conditions characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue

muscular rheumatism

2

: rheumatoid arthritis