Embolism
Origin
From Old French embolisme ("intercalation of days in a calendar to correct errors"), from Late Latin embolismus.
Full definition of embolism
Noun
embolism
(plural embolisms)- (pathology) An obstruction or occlusion of an artery by an embolus, that is by a blood clot, air bubble or other matter that has been transported by the blood stream.
- The insertion or intercalation of days into the calendar in order to correct the error arising from the difference between the civil year and the solar year.
- 1844, The Asiatic journal and monthly miscellany, Authorities differ as to the manner in which the Arabs practised embolism: some say, they added a month to every third year; others, that they intercalated seven months in a period of nineteen years ; and others, nine months in twenty-four years.