migraine

[ mahy-greyn or, British, mee- ]
/ ˈmaɪ greɪn or, British, ˈmi- /

noun

an extremely severe paroxysmal headache, usually confined to one side of the head and often associated with nausea; hemicrania.

Origin of migraine

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French < Late Latin hēmicrānia hemicrania; cf. megrim

OTHER WORDS FROM migraine

mi·grain·oid, adjective mi·grain·ous, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for migraine

British Dictionary definitions for migraine

migraine
/ (ˈmiːɡreɪn, ˈmaɪ-) /

noun

a throbbing headache usually affecting only one side of the head and commonly accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances

Derived forms of migraine

migrainous, adjective

Word Origin for migraine

C18: (earlier form, C14 mygrame megrim 1): from French, from Late Latin hēmicrānia pain in half of the head, from Greek hēmikrania, from hemi- + kranion cranium

Medical definitions for migraine

migraine
[ mīgrān′ ]

n.

A severe recurring headache, usually affecting only one side of the head, that is characterized by sharp pain and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. hemicrania megrim sick headache

Scientific definitions for migraine

migraine
[ mīgrān′ ]

A severe recurring headache, usually affecting only one side of the head, that is characterized by sharp, throbbing pain and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances. Vasodilation in the brain causes inflammation that results in pain, but the exact cause of migraine is unknown.