Ichorosis
/ˌaɪkəˈroʊsɪs/noun
A pathological condition involving the discharge or formation of ichor, a thin, foul-smelling fluid from a wound or decaying tissue.
Did you know?In Greek mythology, ichor was not ordinary blood but the divine fluid of immortals; physicians later repurposed the word for offensive wound discharge.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἰχώρ (ikhṓr)
“The ethereal fluid said to flow through the bodies of the gods”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἰχώρ
“Later, a thin, watery or purulent discharge from a wound”
Late Greek / Byzantine medical usage
Greek
ἰχώρωσις (ikhṓrōsis)
“A condition involving the production or discharge of ichor”
19th Century
Medical English
ichorosis
“A pathological state characterized by ichorous discharge”
Modern English
English
ichorosis
“A rare medical term for the formation or discharge of ichor from diseased or decomposing tissue”