Ascites
/æˈsaɪtiːz/noun
An abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen.
Did you know?Ascites entered English through Latin medical writing from Greek askítēs, originally meaning a person or thing “like a wineskin,” tying disease language to everyday containers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ask-
“A root associated with a bag, skin, or container”
Ancient Greek
Greek
askós
“A wineskin, leather bag, or sack”
Ancient Greek
Greek
askítēs
“Wineskin-like; in medicine, a person with abdominal swelling”
Latin
Latin
ascites
“A medical term for dropsy of the belly”
Middle English
English
ascites
“A medical condition marked by abdominal fluid buildup”
Modern English
English
ascites
“Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity”