Varicose
/ˈværɪkoʊs/noun
Abnormally enlarged, twisted, and often swollen, especially referring to veins.
Did you know?The medical term comes from Latin varix, meaning an enlarged or twisted vein; its plural, varices, is still used in medicine today.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wer-
“To turn, bend, or twist; a proposed ancestral root connected with the Latin term.”
Classical Latin
Latin
varix, varicis
“A dilated, swollen, or twisted vein.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
varicosus
“Affected with varices; full of enlarged veins.”
16th Century
French
variqueux
“Affected by varices or enlarged veins.”
17th Century
English
varicose
“Characterized by enlarged, twisted veins.”
Modern English
English
varicose
“Abnormally enlarged and twisted, especially of veins.”