aneurysm

[an-yuh-riz-uh m] /ˈæn yəˌrɪz əm/

noun, Pathology

a permanent cardiac or arterial dilatation usually caused by weakening of the vessel wall.

Also, aneurism.

Origin

1650-60; < Greek aneúrysma dilation, equivalent to aneurys- (variant stem of aneurýnein to dilate; see an-³, eury-) + -ma noun suffix

Related forms

aneurysmal, aneurismal, adjective

aneurysmally, aneurismally, adverb

Examples from the web for aneurysm

When an aneurysm in a cerebral artery ruptures, the result is a hemorrhagic stroke.
All my dreams and desires all wrapped up in one awesome show almost gave me a aneurysm.
Though the region with the aneurysm is initially wider than normal, blood swirling in aneurysm can clot.
Cindy suffered a brain aneurysm while biking, an activity she loved.
Blood clots that form around this coil prevent the aneurysm from breaking open and bleeding.
The cause was an aneurysm in the aorta, his family said.
Doctors perform surgery to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
He has since had a stroke and now has an inoperable aneurysm, diabetes and congestive heart failure.
Friends said the cause was heart failure during treatment for an aneurysm.
They are usually caused by the rupture of an aneurysm, a bulge in a blood vessel, which creates a weakening in the artery wall.

British Dictionary definitions for aneurysm

aneurysm

/ˈænjəˌrɪzəm/

noun

a sac formed by abnormal dilation of the weakened wall of a blood vessel

Derived Forms

aneurysmal, aneurismal, aneurysmatic, aneurismatic, adjective
aneurysmally, aneurismally, aneurysmatically, aneurismatically, adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Greek aneurusma, from aneurunein to dilate, from eurunein to widen

Word Origin and History for aneurysm

early 15c., from Medieval Latin aneurisma, from Greek aneurysmos "dilation," from aneurynein "to dilate," from ana- "up" (see ana-) + eurynein "widen," from eurys "broad, wide," from PIE root *were- "wide, broad" (cf. Sanskrit uruh "broad, wide").

aneurysm in Medicine

aneurysm an·eu·rysm or an·eu·rism (ān'yə-rĭz'əm)
n.
A localized, blood-filled dilation of a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall.

an'eu·rys'mal (-məl) or an'eu·ris·mat'ic (-māt'ĭk) adj.

aneurysm in Science

aneurysm

(ān'yə-rĭz'əm)
A localized, blood-filled dilation of a blood vessel or cardiac chamber caused by disease, such as arteriosclerosis, or weakening of the vessel or chamber wall. A ruptured aneurysm results in hemorrhage and is often fatal.