hernia

[hur-nee-uh]

See more synonyms for hernia on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural her·ni·as, her·ni·ae

[hur-nee-ee] /ˈhɜr niˌi/. Pathology.

the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in its surrounding walls, especially in the abdominal region.

Compare hiatus hernia, strangulated hernia.

Origin of hernia

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: a rupture; akin to hīra gut; see haruspex

Related formsher·ni·al, adjective

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

Related Words for hernia

fissure, schism, fracture, breach, hernia, division, burst, tear, rent, crack, cleavage, cleft, parting, herniation

Examples from the Web for hernia

Contemporary Examples of hernia

He was afraid he had a hernia (which is common, with all the yelling they do).
A Proactive New Response to the Service-Member Suicide Crisis
Marjorie Morrison
November 14, 2012

Historical Examples of hernia

You'll get a hernia of your exhaust pipe if you stay so tense.
Arm of the Law
Harry Harrison
Hernia was Chauliac's specialty, and in it his surgical judgment is admirable.
Old-Time Makers of Medicine
James J. Walsh
Chauliac discussed operations for hernia very conservatively.
Old-Time Makers of Medicine
James J. Walsh
In respect to the introsusception and hernia, see Ileus, Class I. 3.
Zoonomia, Vol. II
Erasmus Darwin
Hernia—Rupture which permits a part of the bowels to protrude.
Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners
B.G. Jefferis

British Dictionary definitions for hernia

hernia

noun plural -nias or -niae (-nɪˌiː)

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

Derived Formshernial, adjectiveherniated, adjective

Word Origin for hernia

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

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).

hernia in Medicine

hernia

[hûr′nē-ə]

n. pl. her•ni•as

The protrusion of an organ or other bodily structure through the wall that normally contains it.

Related formsher′ni•al adj.

hernia in Science

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.

hernia in Culture

hernia

[(hur-nee-uh)]

The projection of an organ or part of an organ through the wall of the structure that surrounds it. Most often, the term is applied to the protrusion of a part of the intestine that can be observed as a lump in the lower abdomen.