detumescence

[dee-too-mes-uh ns, -tyoo-]

noun

reduction or subsidence of swelling.

Origin of detumescence

1670–80; < Latin dētumēsc(ere) to cease swelling (dē- de- + tumēscere to swell) + -ence; see tumescent

Related formsde·tu·mes·cent, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for detumescence

Historical Examples of detumescence

I have previously alluded to 88masturbation as a manifestation of the detumescence impulse.
The Sexual Life of the Child
Albert Moll
In man the process of tumescence and detumescence is simple.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 3 (of 6)
Havelock Ellis
Hence the significance of the kiss as a preliminary of detumescence.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 5 (of 6)
Havelock Ellis
The older the child becomes, the more are the phenomena of the contrectation70 impulse complicated by those of detumescence.
The Sexual Life of the Child
Albert Moll
But in these cases also, the complete fusion of the processes of detumescence and contrectation occurs very gradually.
The Sexual Life of the Child
Albert Moll

British Dictionary definitions for detumescence

detumescence

noun

the subsidence of a swelling, esp the return of a swollen organ, such as the penis, to the flaccid state

Word Origin for detumescence

C17: from Latin dētumescere to cease swelling, from de- + tumescere, from tumēre to swell

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

detumescence in Medicine

detumescence

[dē′tōō-mĕs′əns]

Reduction, subsidence, or lessening of a swelling, especially the restoration of a swollen organ or part to normal size.