Definition of

Tumescence

  1. (noun, state) tumidity resulting from the presence of blood or other fluid in the tissues

via WordNet, Princeton University

Alternate forms of Tumescence

Derivations: tumescent

Hypernyms: tumidity, tumidness

Origin of the word Tumescence

  1. 1859, from Fr. tumescence, from L. tumescentem (nom. tumescens) "swelling," prp. of tumescere "begin to swell," from tumere "to swell" (see thigh) + inchoative suffix -escere. The earliest attested form of the word in Eng. is tumefaction (1597). more

via Online Etymology Dictionary, ©2001 Douglas Harper

Note: If you're looking to improve your vocabulary right now, we highly recommend Ultimate Vocabulary Software.

Word of the Moment

Changjiang

the longest river of Asia; flows eastward from Tibet into the East China Sea near Shanghai