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ascites

American  
[uh-sahy-teez] / əˈsaɪ tiz /

noun

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


ascites British  
/ əˈsɪtɪk, əˈsaɪtiːz /

noun

  1. accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of ascites

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

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Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

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

In the ascites of kidney troubles there will be a history of general oedema—puffiness of face and eyes on rising in the morning probably having attracted the attention of the patient or his friends previously.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various

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