rheumy

[ roo-mee ]

adjective

, rheum·i·er, rheum·i·est.

1. pertaining to, causing, full of, or affected with rheum.

ˈrheumy

/ ˈruːmɪ /

adjective

1. of the nature of rheum
2. literary.
   damp and unhealthy

   the rheumy air

Other Words From

• rheumi·ly adverb
• rheumi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rheumy¹

First recorded in 1585–95; rheum + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Five rheumy old-timers lolled about the one gate that would be open for the night.

From The Daily Beast

At least that is how I see them, trudging their way alone through the streets, with rheumy eyes and frozen hands.

From The Daily Beast

Go near that horrid old man who fastens one rheumy eye on you while his slobbery chin shakes like a huge jelly?

From Project Gutenberg

And the maudlin tears came into the man's rheumy eyes and rolled down his cheeks.

From Project Gutenberg

The rheumy, blinking eyes are dazzled in the sunlight, and he peevishly commands the gold work to be ‘whitened over.’

From Project Gutenberg

The Garibaldian was gazing vacantly out of his rheumy eyes and saying nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

Then dropping his head, he goes slowly to the door, but there he turns, lifting his head and fixing his rheumy eyes on Moll.

From Project Gutenberg