edema

Where does the word "edema" come from? It comes from Greek oidema, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Edema’s story begins in Greek: oidema meant “a swelling.” A swelling, from oidein (to swell). It reached English by 1400s as edema. Settled as the medical word for fluid buildup causing swelling. Today, edema means swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient oidema "a swelling", a swelling, from oidein (to swell).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s edema "swelling caused by fluid buildup in tissue", settled as the medical word for fluid buildup causing swelling.