embolism

[ em-buh-liz-uh m ]
/ ˈɛm bəˌlɪz əm /

noun

Pathology. the occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus.
intercalation, as of a day in a year.
a period of time intercalated.
(in a Eucharistic service) the prayer following the final petitions of the Lord's Prayer.

Origin of embolism

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin embolismus intercalation < Late Greek embolismós, equivalent to embol- (see embolus) + -ismos -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM embolism

em·bo·lis·mic, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for embolism

British Dictionary definitions for embolism

embolism
/ (ˈɛmbəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

the occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus
botany the blocking of a xylem vessel by an air bubble
the insertion of one or more days into a calendar, esp the Jewish calendar; intercalation
RC Church a prayer inserted in the canon of the Mass between the Lord's Prayer and the breaking of the bread
another name (not in technical use) for embolus

Derived forms of embolism

embolismic, adjective

Word Origin for embolism

C14: from Medieval Latin embolismus, from Late Greek embolismos intercalary; see embolus

Medical definitions for embolism

embolism
[ ĕmbə-lĭz′əm ]

n.

The obstruction or occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus.
An embolus.

Scientific definitions for embolism

embolism
[ ĕmbə-lĭz′əm ]

A mass, such as an air bubble, detached blood clot, or foreign body, that travels in the bloodstream, lodges in a blood vessel, and obstructs or occludes it. Also called embolus
The obstruction or occlusion of a blood vessel by such a mass.

Cultural definitions for embolism

embolism

An obstruction or occlusion of a blood vessel by an air bubble, a detached blood clot, or a foreign body.