n. 1. An itching or painful mass of dilated veins in swollen anal tissue. 2. hemorrhoids The pathological condition in which such painful masses occur. Also called piles. [From Middle English emoroides, hemorrhoids, from Old French emoroides, from Latin haemorrhoidae, from Greek haimorrhoïdes, pl. of haimorrhoïs, from haimorrhoos, flowing with blood : haimo-, hemo- + rhein, to flow; see sreu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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