ichor

[ahy-kawr, ahy-ker]

noun

Classical Mythology. an ethereal fluid flowing in the veins of the gods.

Pathology. an acrid, watery discharge, as from an ulcer or wound.

Origin of ichor

1630–40; < Late Latin īchōr (in medical sense) < Greek īchṓr

Related formsi·chor·ous

[ahy-ker-uh s] /ˈaɪ kər əs/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ichor

Historical Examples of ichor

When their ichor is up, they misbehave as we do when our blood is up, during the fury of war.
Homer and His Age
Andrew Lang
Then Talus said, ‘Who are you, strange maiden, and where is this ichor of youth?’
The Heroes
Charles Kingsley
The skin is red and fretted, discharging an ichor which hardens into crusts.
A Treatise on Sheep:
Ambrose Blacklock
Then Talus said, "Who are you, strange maiden; and where is this ichor of youth?"
Myths That Every Child Should Know
Various
Winifred was not discontented with her lot—the ichor of youth and good health flowed too strongly in her veins.
The Bartlett Mystery
Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for ichor

ichor

noun

Greek myth the fluid said to flow in the veins of the gods

pathol a foul-smelling watery discharge from a wound or ulcer

Derived Formsichorous, adjective

Word Origin for ichor

C17: from Greek ikhōr, of obscure origin

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 ichor

1630s, from Greek ikhor, of unknown origin, possibly from a non-Indo-European language. The fluid that serves for blood in the veins of the gods. Related: Ichorous.

ichor in Medicine

ichor

[ī′kôr′, ī′kər]

n.

A watery, acrid discharge from a wound or ulcer.

Related formsi′chor•ous (ī′kər-əs) adj.