rheumatism

noun

rheu·​ma·​tism ˈrü-mə-ˌti-zəm How to pronounce rheumatism (audio)
ˈru̇-
1
: any of various conditions characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue
muscular rheumatism
2

Examples of rheumatism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 See all Example Sentences for rheumatism 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rheumatism was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near rheumatism

Cite this Entry

“Rheumatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rheumatism. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rheumatism

noun
rheu·​ma·​tism ˈrü-mə-ˌtiz-əm How to pronounce rheumatism (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce rheumatism (audio) ˈru̇m-ə- How to pronounce rheumatism (audio)
1
: any of various conditions characterized by inflammation or pain in muscles, joints, or fibrous tissue
muscular rheumatism
2

More from Merriam-Webster on rheumatism

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