migraine

[ mahy-greynor, British, mee- ]

noun

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

migraine

/ ˈmaɪ-; ˈmiːɡreɪn /

noun

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

migraine

/ mī′grān′ /

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• ˈmigrainous, adjective

Other Words From

• mi·grainoid adjective
• mi·grainous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of migraine¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin hēmicrānia hemicrania; megrim

Word History and Origins

Origin of migraine¹

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

Example Sentences

The ensuing night gave me the grand migraine of my life, with throbs like the blows of an ax and continuous pinwheels.

From The Daily Beast

Migraine drugs fall into two categories: preventive and abortive.

From The Daily Beast

To tell a migraine from a tension-type headache, remember POUND.

From The Daily Beast

If four or five of these factors are present, a migraine is much more likely.

From The Daily Beast

Roughly 90 percent of primary headaches fall into three categories: tension, migraine, and cluster.

From The Daily Beast

The hot colonic flushing is particularly serviceable in combating the sick headaches of migraine.

From Project Gutenberg

The same individual finds the odor of food beautiful when hungry, pleasant when full-fed, and unendurable when he has migraine.

From Project Gutenberg

She now declared herself excessively tired by her morning ride, and martyr, besides, to a migraine.

From Project Gutenberg

The second fact relates to the clinical history of migraine.

From Project Gutenberg

Migraine, whose stomach was always tormenting him, made wry faces close beside him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• headache
• sick headache