aneurysm

or an·eu·rism

[ an-yuh-riz-uhm ]

/ ˈæn yəˌrɪz əm /

Save This Word!

noun Pathology.

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

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of aneurysm

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

OTHER WORDS FROM aneurysm

an·eu·rys·mal, an·eu·ris·mal, adjectivean·eu·rys·mal·ly, an·eu·ris·mal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use aneurysm in a sentence

Besides, sneezing sometimes causes the rupture of an aneurism; and so he gave up the snuff-box altogether.
Bouvard and Pcuchet|Gustave Flaubert
This was a case of popliteal aneurism, operations for which had heretofore proved pretty uniformly fatal.
A History of Science, Volume 4(of 5)|Henry Smith Williams
An experienced physician has but to feel the pulse once, and he knows that there is aneurism which will kill some time or other.
Notes on Nursing|Florence Nightingale
These remind us of our aneurism needles, and it is interesting to note that Galen (ut supra) speaks of an ‘eyed hook’.
Surgical Instruments in Greek and Roman Times|John Stewart Milne

Doubtless mental anguish had reacted on the physical frame, and some disease, perhaps an aneurism, was undermining Julie's life.
A Woman of Thirty|Honore de Balzac

British Dictionary definitions for aneurysm

aneurysm

aneurism

/ (ˈænjəˌrɪzəm) /

noun

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

Derived forms of aneurysm

aneurysmal, aneurismal, aneurysmatic or aneurismatic, adjectiveaneurysmally, aneurismally, aneurysmatically or aneurismatically, adverb

Word Origin for aneurysm

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for aneurysm

aneurysm

[ ăn′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.