diathermy

[ dahy-uh-thur-mee ]
/ ˈdaɪ əˌθɜr mi /

noun Medicine/Medical.

the production of heat in body tissues by electric currents, for therapeutic purposes.
Also di·a·ther·mi·a [dahy-uh-thur-mee-uh] /ˌdaɪ əˈθɜr mi ə/.

Origin of diathermy

< German Diathermie (1909). See dia-, -thermy

Words nearby diathermy

diatessaron, diathermal, diathermancy, diathermanous, diathermic, diathermy, diathesis, diatom, diatomaceous, diatomaceous earth, diatomic

Example sentences from the Web for diathermy

  • Reduction of tension by means of various mechanical measures, notably massage, and by means of electricity and diathermy.

    Glaucoma |Various

  • He left, returning a few minutes later with a portable apparatus somewhat resembling its progenitor, the diathermy generator.

    In the Orbit of Saturn |Roman Frederick Starzl

British Dictionary definitions for diathermy

diathermy

diathermia (ˌdaɪəˈθɜːmɪə)

/ (ˈdaɪəˌθɜːmɪ) /

noun

local heating of the body tissues with an electric current for medical or surgical purposes

Word Origin for diathermy

C20: from New Latin diathermia, from dia- + Greek thermē heat

Medical definitions for diathermy

diathermy
[ dī′ə-thûr′mē ]

n.

The therapeutic generation of local heat in body tissues by high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, electric currents, or ultrasonic waves.