What Does Dropsy Mean?

Dropsy is a noun and in medical terms it is known as Edema. This term dropsy is a non-technical term for Edema. Today, this word is not in use in scientific terminology. It is used to denote a medical condition in which liquid forms in parts of one's body. This liquid can be found in parts like legs, lungs and even brain. These parts become swollen and filled with the liquid.

The word 'dropsy' has a Greek origin and is taken from the word hudrōpiāsis or hudrōps which meant 'a dropsical person'. Hudrōpiāsis is formed from Hudrō and ōps. Hudrō means water and ōps means face. It was then taken into Latin as hydrōpisis. Medieval Latin modified it as 'ydrōpisia´and the Old French as ydropisie. Later, it was adapted by Middle English as dropesie, short form for idropesie. Tumefaction, swelling, tumor, diastole, distension, puffiness, pandiculation are some words that could be used for dropsy.

Dropsy is a noun and in medical terms it is known as Edema. This term dropsy is a non-technical term for Edema. Today, this word is not in use in scientific terminology. It is used to denote a medical condition in which liquid forms in parts of one's body. This liquid can be found in parts like legs, lungs and even brain. These parts become swollen and filled with the liquid.

The word 'dropsy' has a Greek origin and is taken from the word hudrōpiāsis or hudrōps which meant 'a dropsical person'. Hudrōpiāsis is formed from Hudrō and ōps. Hudrō means water and ōps means face. It was then taken into Latin as hydrōpisis. Medieval Latin modified it as 'ydrōpisia´ and the Old French as ydropisie. Later, it was adapted by Middle English as dropesie , short form for  idropesie. Tumefaction, swelling, tumor, diastole, distension, puffiness, pandiculation are some words that could be used for dropsy.