ascites

American  

[uh-sahy-teez] / əˈsaɪ tiz /

noun

Pathology.

1. accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity; dropsy of the peritoneum.

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ascites British  

/ əˈsɪtɪk, əˈsaɪtiːz /

noun

1. accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity

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Other Word Forms

• ascitic adjective
• ascitical adjective

Etymology

Origin of ascites

1350–1400; Middle English aschites < Medieval Latin < Greek askítēs ( hýdrōps ) abdominal (dropsy), equivalent to ask ( ós ) belly + -itēs -ite ¹

Compare meaning

How does ascites compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anasarca vs. ascites

Example Sentences

Pinto said the swelling was caused by a large quantity of both fat and ascites, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity often linked to cirrhosis of the liver.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Those complications, claim the reports, include a build-up of abdominal fluid known as ascites and also hepatic encephalopathy, which can affect cognitive function.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2021

The public Czech Radio and newspaper denikn.cz cited seven sources as saying last month that the president had suffered from ascites, or liquid collecting in the abdomen, during his previous hospital stay.

From Reuters • Oct. 11, 2021

He did not have to feel pain shooting throughout his abdomen, grossly distended with urinary ascites.

From Slate • Feb. 6, 2014

When it happens to young subjects it is less liable to be mistaken for ascites.

From Zoonomia, Vol. II Or, the Laws of Organic Life by Darwin, Erasmus