rheumatoid etymology

Etymology

Rheumatoid derives from the Greek word "rheuma," meaning "flux" or "flow." The suffix "-oid" means "resembling."

Meaning

Rheumatoid describes a condition resembling or caused by flux or flow. In medical terms, it specifically refers to inflammation and pain in the joints and surrounding tissues, often caused by an autoimmune disease.

Origin

The term "rheumatoid" was first used in the early 19th century by the French physician Alfred-Armand-Louis-Marie Velpeau to describe a specific type of joint pain. Velpeau distinguished this condition from other forms of rheumatism, which at the time were believed to be caused by an imbalance of bodily fluids or a "rheumatic flux."

Over time, the term rheumatoid became more specific to the autoimmune condition known as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, swelling, and tissue damage. The cause of RA is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve an immune response that mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, including the joints.

rheumatoid relate terms

  • rheum

    Etymology Early Modern English rheme 1600s Late Middle English reme 15th century

  • amenorrhea

    Etymology Derived from Ancient Greek a α meaning without μην men mea

  • catarrh

    Etymology From Ancient Greek katarrhous meaning flow down From kata down rhe

  • diarrhea

    Etymology The word diarrhea comes from the Greek words dia meaning through and

  • hemorrhoids

    Etymology Hemorrhoid is derived from the Ancient Greek words haímai αἱμα mea

  • maelstrom

    Etymology The word maelstrom derives from the Dutch malstroom which literally means

  • rheo

    Etymology The word rheo is derived from the Greek word ῥέω rheō meaning to

  • rheology

    Etymology The term rheology is derived from the Greek words rheo ῥέω meaning

  • rheostat

    Etymology Origin Greek Meaning of Individual Components Rheo Flow stat Causing to

  • rheum

    Etymology Early Modern English rheme 1600s Late Middle English reme 15th century

  • rheumatic

    Etymology Greek rheuma flowing discharge Latin rheumaticus Meaning and Origi

  • rheumatism

    Etymology Latin rheumatismus Greek rheumatismos from rheein to flow Meaning

  • rheumatoid

    Etymology Rheumatoid derives from the Greek word rheuma meaning flux or flow The

  • rhinorrhea

    Etymology Greek rhinos nose rhoia flow Meaning and Origin Rhinorrhea is a

  • rhythm

    Etymology Old French rithme Latin rhythmus Greek ῥυθμός rhythmos Meaning

  • seborrhea

    Etymology Derived from the Greek words sebon oil fat and rhein to flow Mean

  • stream

    Etymology The word stream comes from the Middle English word strem which in turn der

  • rheumatic

    Etymology Greek rheuma flowing discharge Latin rheumaticus Meaning and Origi

  • touch

    Etymology Middle English touchin from Old French toucher from Latin tangere meanin

  • discern

    Etymology Origin Latin Root Word Discernere Meaning To see apart to distinguish Me

  • ghetto

    Etymology The term ghetto etymology is derived from two words Ghetto A segregated

  • category

    Etymology The word category derives from the Ancient Greek word kategoria meaning

  • cultivate

    Etymology Latin colere to tend cultivate Old French cultiver Middle English cul