hernia
[hur-nee-uh]
- the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in its surrounding walls, especially in the abdominal region.
Show More
Compare hiatus hernia, strangulated hernia.
Origin of hernia
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
fissure, schism, fracture, breach, hernia, division, burst, tear, rent, crack, cleavage, cleft, parting, herniationExamples from the Web for hernia
Contemporary Examples
He was afraid he had a hernia (which is common, with all the yelling they do).
Historical Examples
You'll get a hernia of your exhaust pipe if you stay so tense.
Arm of the LawHarry Harrison
Hernia was Chauliac's specialty, and in it his surgical judgment is admirable.
Old-Time Makers of MedicineJames J. Walsh
Chauliac discussed operations for hernia very conservatively.
Old-Time Makers of MedicineJames J. Walsh
In respect to the introsusception and hernia, see Ileus, Class I. 3.
Zoonomia, Vol. IIErasmus Darwin
Hernia—Rupture which permits a part of the bowels to protrude.
Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark CornersB.G. Jefferis
hernia
- the projection of an organ or part through the lining of the cavity in which it is normally situated, esp the protrusion of intestine through the front wall of the abdominal cavity. It is caused by muscular strain, injury, etcAlso called: rupture
Show More
Word Origin
C14: from Latin
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
Word Origin and History for hernia
n.
late 14c., hirnia, from Latin hernia "a rupture," related to hira "intestine," PIE *ghere- "gut, entrail" (see yarn). The re-Latinized spelling is from 17c. Related: Herniated (1879).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
hernia
(hûr′nē-ə)- The protrusion of an organ or other bodily structure through the wall that normally contains it.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
hernia
[hûr′nē-ə]
- A condition in which an organ or body part, such as the intestine, protrudes through an opening in the body structure that normally contains it.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
hernia
[(hur-nee-uh)]
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.