rheumatism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an older, nonspecific term for painful or stiff conditions affecting joints, muscles, or connective tissue

   Her grandfather called the persistent pain in his hands rheumatism.

2. 2
   noun

   rheumatoid arthritis, especially in older or nontechnical use

   The medical record used rheumatism for what would now be diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis.

From Latin rheumatismus and Ancient Greek rheumatismos ("a discharge of humors"), from rheuma ("flow"). The name reflects the ancient belief that bodily fluids flowing through the body caused joint and muscular pain.

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