engorgement

[ en-gawrj-muhnt ]

noun

1. congestion of the vessels or ducts of a part of the body with blood, milk, or other bodily fluid:

   Midwives may use acupressure techniques to reduce breast engorgement after delivery.

2. the act of feeding on something greedily or excessively:

   In cows and other ruminants, engorgement on grain can lead to hyperacidity and impaired microbial digestion.

3. the condition of being flooded, overfilled, or oversupplied:

   The reef just below Station 54 is the probable cause of the engorgement of the river during its high phase.

   Speculators took advantage of deregulation and the parasitic engorgement of the financial world.

Word History and Origins

Origin of engorgement¹

First recorded in 1605–15; engorge ( def ) + -ment ( def )

Example Sentences

Magendie found that when given to dogs it produced engorgement, and often inflammation of the lungs.

From Project Gutenberg

This condition led to engorgement of the lungs and liver and increased pressure in the venous side of the circulation.

From Project Gutenberg

There was engorgement of blood vessels in the meninges covering the brain.

From Project Gutenberg

The changes observed are those of intense engorgement of the marrow, going on to greenish-yellow purulent infiltration.

From Project Gutenberg

The engorgement of the obstructed territory has received the name of hemorrhagic infarction.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deluge
• flash flood
• overabundance
• torrent