Phlegmon
/ˈflɛɡ.mən/noun
An inflamed swelling in soft tissue, typically caused by infection.
Did you know?Phlegmon ultimately comes from Greek phlegma, originally meaning 'burning heat' or 'inflammation,' and the same ancient root also gave English words tied to flame and feverish bodily heat.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰlegʷ-
“to burn, blaze”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φλέγω (phlégō)
“I burn, set on fire”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φλέγμα (phlegma)
“a burning heat, inflammation; later also bodily phlegm”
Late Latin
Latin
phlegmōn
“inflammation, swelling”
Middle English
English
phlegmon
“an inflamed swelling or abscess”
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