Ileus
/ˈɪl.i.əs/noun
A painful intestinal obstruction or paralysis of the bowel.
Did you know?The medical term comes from Greek *eileós*, a bowel obstruction, likely related to a root meaning “to twist” or “roll,” which is why the word feels so physically trapped.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, twist”
Ancient Greek
Greek
εἰλεός (eileós)
“a twisting, colicky intestinal obstruction”
Late Latin
Latin
ileus
“intestinal obstruction, bowel colic”
16th Century
English
ileus
“a painful obstruction of the intestines”
Modern English
English
ileus
“intestinal obstruction or paralysis of the bowel”