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aneurysm

American  
[an-yuh-riz-uhm] / ˈæn yəˌrɪz əm /
Or aneurism

noun

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


aneurysm British  
/ ˈænjəˌrɪzəm /

noun

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

"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

aneurysm Scientific  
/ ănyə-rĭz′əm /
  1. 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.


Other Word Forms

  • aneurismal adjective
  • aneurismally adverb
  • aneurysmal adjective
  • aneurysmally adverb

Etymology

Origin of aneurysm

First recorded in 1650–60; from Greek aneúrysma “dilation,” equivalent to aneurys- (variant stem of aneurýnein “to dilate,” from an- an- 3 + eurýnein “to widen, broaden”; eury- ) + -ma, noun suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The registered nurse, who is on maternity leave after having her son Albie, was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm - a swollen blood vessel - after suffering extreme headaches.

From BBC

Boston Scientific has agreed to buy the thrombectomy company, which makes medical devices to treat vascular conditions like stroke and aneurysms, for roughly $15 billion in a cash-and-stock deal.

From Barron's

Penumbra’s portfolio includes devices to treat conditions like pulmonary embolism, stroke, deep vein aneurysms, and heart attack.

From Barron's

Véra has a disability—she cannot speak, likely due to a ruptured aneurysm she suffered at the age of 6.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kardashian reacted with visible shock, saying the results “explain a lot” about her stress levels as she juggles a sprawling business empire, law studies, an aneurysm recovery, and a highly public personal life.

From Salon