The word "dropsy," spelled /drɒpsi/ in IPA phonetic transcription, refers to a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in tissues and cavities of the body. The spelling of the word is derived from the Greek word "hydrops," which means "water-swelling." The "s" in the spelling is a result of the English language's orthographic convention for forming plurals. "Dropsy" was a common diagnosis in the past but is now a dated term, as modern medicine has more specific terms for the underlying conditions that cause fluid accumulation.
Dropsy is a noun that refers to a condition characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid within the tissues or cavities of the body. It is primarily associated with the condition of edema, a condition in which excessive fluid gathers in the body's interstitial spaces, causing swelling and discomfort. Dropsy is a term that has been historically used to describe various forms of edema and related conditions, particularly those that affect the limbs or abdomen.
The term "dropsy" originates from the Middle English word "dropesie," which in turn stems from the Latin term "hydrōpisis," ultimately derived from the Greek words "hudrōps" meaning "water" and "opsō" meaning "face." Dropsy can manifest as peripheral edema, in which the limbs become swollen, puffy, and often painful due to fluid retention. Alternatively, it can also refer to ascites, a condition characterized by fluid accumulation within the abdominal cavity, leading to a bloated abdomen.
Historically, dropsy was used as a general term for conditions involving fluid accumulation, but it is now less commonly used in modern medical practice. Instead, specific terms and diagnoses such as edema, lymphedema, or hydrocephalus are typically employed to describe fluid retention in different parts of the body. Nonetheless, dropsy remains a historical term that highlights the understanding of fluid retention in ancient medical practices.
Hydrops; an excessive accumulation of clear watery fluid in any of the tissues or cavities of the body; variously called, according to its character and location, edema, anasarca, ascites, hydrothorax, hydropericardium, etc.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
An unnatural collection of water in any part of the body.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "dropsy" comes from the Latin term "hydropsis", which was derived from the Greek word "hydropsis". In both Latin and Greek, "hydropsis" translates to "a watery condition" or "edema". The term was originally used to describe a specific medical condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the body tissues, leading to swelling. Over time, the word was adopted into Old English as "dropsy", and it has been used to refer to the condition and similar forms of edema since.