ileus

[ il-ee-uhs ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. intestinal obstruction characterized by lack of peristalsis and leading to severe colicky pain and vomiting.

ileus

/ ˈɪlɪəs /

noun

1. obstruction of the intestine, esp the ileum, by mechanical occlusion or as the result of distension of the bowel following loss of muscular action

Word History and Origins

Origin of ileus¹

1700–10; < Latin īleus colic < Greek eileós, equivalent to eile- (stem of eílein to roll) + -os noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of ileus¹

C18: from Latin īleos severe colic, from Greek eileos a rolling, twisting, from eilein to roll

Example Sentences

Is the seat or cause of the ileus always below the valve of the colon, and that of the cholera above it?

From Project Gutenberg

Whence it appears, that the enteritis with hard quick pulse differs from Ileus, described in Class I. 3.

From Project Gutenberg

Calomel from ten to twenty grains given in small pills as in Ileus; these means used early in the disease generally succeed.

From Project Gutenberg

That is natural, but it is a shock to have him here described as son of Ileus.

From Project Gutenberg

The son of Ileus is "Ajax the less," a hero of the second rank.

From Project Gutenberg