The word "engorged" is spelled with the phonetic transcription /ɪnˈɡɔːdʒd/. The first syllable is pronounced as "in" with a short "i" sound, followed by the stress on the second syllable which is pronounced with a long "o" sound. The "g" is pronounced with a soft "j" sound, and the final "ed" is pronounced with a short "e" sound. This word means to fill or congest to an excessive degree, often used in reference to blood vessels or the stomach.
Engorged is an adjective that refers to a state of being excessively swollen or filled to the point of bloating or congestion. It describes a condition where something, such as a part of the body or an object, becomes enlarged or swollen due to an excessive amount of fluid, blood, or other substance that it contains or holds. The term can be used in various contexts, including biological, medical, or even metaphorical.
In a biological or medical context, engorged commonly refers to the process of increased blood flow and accumulation in blood vessels, usually resulting from a response to injury, inflammation, or a physiological condition. This can be observed, for instance, in the engorgement of the veins during an allergic reaction or in the engorged breasts of a lactating woman.
Engorged can also be metaphorically used to describe instances where something becomes overfilled or overcrowded, often leading to a sense of congestion or abundance. This may be applied to scenarios such as an engorged highway during rush hour or an engorged market flooded with customers.
Overall, engorged highlights a state of being excessively swollen, filled, or congested, whether it be in the biological or metaphorical sense.
Absolutely filled; distended with fluid; congested; hyperemic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "engorged" has its origins in the Old French word "engorgier", which means "to devour or swallow up". This Old French term is derived from the Latin word "ingurgitare", which carries a similar meaning of "to swallow greedily or to flood". The Latin term itself comes from a combination of the prefix "in-" (meaning "in" or "into") and the word "gurgitare", meaning "to flood or fill to excess". Therefore, the etymology of "engorged" indicates a sense of excessive swallowing or filling.