lymph

[ limf ]
/ lɪmf /

noun

Anatomy, Physiology. a clear yellowish, slightly alkaline, coagulable fluid, containing white blood cells in a liquid resembling blood plasma, that is derived from the tissues of the body and conveyed to the bloodstream by the lymphatic vessels.
Archaic. the sap of a plant.
Archaic. a stream or spring of clear, pure water.

Origin of lymph

1620–30; < Latin lympha water (earlier *limpa; see limpid); pseudo-Greek form, by association with nympha < Greek nýmphē nymph

Words nearby lymph

lyme disease, lyme grass, lyme regis, lyme-hound, lymington, lymph, lymph capillary, lymph cell, lymph corpuscle, lymph follicle, lymph gland

Definition for lymph (2 of 2)

lymph-

variant of lympho- before a vowel: lymphoma.

Example sentences from the Web for lymph

British Dictionary definitions for lymph

lymph
/ (lɪmf) /

noun

the almost colourless fluid, containing chiefly white blood cells, that is collected from the tissues of the body and transported in the lymphatic system

Word Origin for lymph

C17: from Latin lympha water, from earlier limpa influenced in form by Greek numphē nymph

Medical definitions for lymph (1 of 2)

lymph
[ lĭmf ]

n.

A clear, watery, sometimes faintly yellowish fluid derived from body tissues that contains white blood cells and circulates throughout the lymphatic system, returning to the venous bloodstream through the thoracic duct. Lymph acts to remove bacteria and certain proteins from the tissues, transport fat from the small intestine, and supply mature lymphocytes to the blood.

Medical definitions for lymph (2 of 2)

lymph-

pref.

Variant oflympho-

Scientific definitions for lymph

lymph
[ lĭmf ]

The clear fluid flowing through the lymphatic system that serves to bathe and nourish the tissues of the body. It is composed of blood plasma that has leaked out through the capillaries into the tissues.

Cultural definitions for lymph

lymph
[ (limf) ]

A clear, colorless fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system. Lymph fills the tissue spaces of the body.