Tumescence

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /tjuːˈmÉ›sÉ™ns/

Origin

1725, initially as tumefaction (1590s), from French tumescence, from Latin tumescens ("swelling"), present participle of tumēscō ("I begin to swell"), from tumeō ("I swell") + -ēscō ("I become") (English -esce, in this form -escence),

Online Etymology Dictionary

stem from Proto-Indo-European *tum-éh₁- ("to be swelling"), stative stem of *tum- ("to swell").

Full definition of tumescence

Noun

1. A swelling due to the presence of fluid.
2. A swollen bodily organ; used especially of erectile tissue.

Derived terms

• detumescence

Related terms

• tumefaction
• tumefy
• tumescent