dropsy

noun

drop·​sy ˈdräp-sē How to pronounce dropsy (audio)
: edema

Examples of dropsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web By December 1826, Beethoven was quite ill, suffering from a second bout of jaundice and swollen limbs, fever, dropsy, and labored breathing. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 22 Mar. 2023 This offer is valid only for townsfolk with proof of dropsy, mumps, polio, lumbago, colitis, bursitis, bites of the wolf most vile, and other afflictions covered under the purview of Clifton’s marvellous medical menagerie. Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 19 May 2020 Jackson, who survived diseases like smallpox, malaria, dysentery, rheumatism and dropsy and endured physical disability most of his adult life after being shot in the chest during a duel, was just shy of Mr. Trump in stature, standing 6-foot-1. Peter Baker, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dropsy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dropesie, short for ydropesie, from Anglo-French, from Latin hydropisis, modification of Greek hydrōps, from hydōr water — more at water

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dropsy was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near dropsy

Cite this Entry

“Dropsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dropsy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dropsy

noun
drop·​sy ˈdräp-sē How to pronounce dropsy (audio)
: edema
dropsical
-si-kəl
adjective

Medical Definition

dropsy

noun
drop·​sy ˈdräp-sē How to pronounce dropsy (audio)
plural dropsies
: edema

More from Merriam-Webster on dropsy

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