synovia

noun

sy·​no·​via sə-ˈnō-vē-ə  sī- 

: synovial fluid

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, coinage of paracelsus, referring to a nutritive fluid found throughout the body

Note: The hypothesis that the synovia of Paracelsus is a compound of Greek syn- (see syn-) and Latin ovum "egg," on the assumption that synovial fluid resembles egg white, has no apparent foundation. Paracelsus assigned no color to the substance, which in his physiology is found in many places; moreover, the word is also spelled synophia in his texts, which does not suggest a connection with ovum.

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

synovia

noun

sy·​no·​via sə-ˈnō-vē-ə  sī- 

: synovial fluid