tenesmus
[ tuh-nez-muhs, -nes- ]
/ təˈnɛz məs, -ˈnɛs- /
noun Pathology.
a straining to urinate or defecate, without the ability to do so.
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Origin of tenesmus
1520–30; <Medieval Latin, variant of Latin tēnesmos<Greek teinesmós, equivalent to teín(ein) to stretch + -esmos noun suffix
Words nearby tenesmus
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for tenesmus
British Dictionary definitions for tenesmus
tenesmus
/ (tɪˈnɛzməs, -ˈnɛs-) /
noun
pathol an ineffective painful straining to empty the bowels in response to the sensation of a desire to defecate, without producing a significant quantity of faeces
Derived forms of tenesmus
tenesmic, adjectiveWord Origin for tenesmus
C16: from Medieval Latin, from Latin tēnesmos, from Greek teinesmos, from teinein to strain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for tenesmus
tenesmus
[ tə-nĕz′məs ]
n.
A painful spasm of the anal sphincter accompanied by an urgent desire to evacuate the bowel or bladder and involuntary straining that results in the passing of little or no matter.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.