Hyperemesis
/ˌhaɪ.pərˈɛm.ə.sɪs/noun
Excessive or unusually severe vomiting.
Did you know?Hyperemesis gravidarum, the severe pregnancy-related form, comes from Greek roots meaning excessive vomiting and was historically described as a dangerous condition rather than ordinary morning sickness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*uper
“Over, above, or beyond”
Ancient Greek
Greek
hyper-
“Over, beyond, or excessively; a prefix indicating excess”
Ancient Greek
Greek
emein
“To vomit”
Ancient Greek
Greek
emesis
“Vomiting; the act of throwing up”
19th Century
Medical English
hyperemesis
“Excessive vomiting, formed from Greek hyper- plus emesis”
Modern English
English
hyperemesis
“Abnormally severe or persistent vomiting, especially in medical contexts”