dropsy

IPA/ˈdrɒpsi/
KK[drˈɑpsi]IPA/ˈdrɑːpsi/

dropsy — noun

1. a health condition in which excess fluid builds up inside the spaces between bod

1.名詞C1
釋義

a health condition in which excess fluid builds up inside the spaces between body cells or in body cavities, causing visible puffiness in the arms, legs, or belly

例句

Lisa's grandmother was diagnosed with dropsy after her ankles began to swell painfully.

passive: diagnosed with dropsy, symptom described with body part

In the nineteenth century, doctors often treated dropsy by draining fluid with a hollow needle.

historical medical context + passive construction

同義詞
  • edema

    the modern medical term used by doctors today instead of dropsy

  • swelling

    a more general, everyday word for any enlarged area on the body, not just fluid build-up

  • bloating

    usually refers to a feeling of fullness in the abdomen from gas or fluid, not the full medical condition

反義詞
  • dehydration

    loss of body fluid, opposite of fluid retention

用法筆記

Dropsy is an older, less technical term. In modern medical practice, doctors use the word edema (or oedema in British English) to describe the same condition.

常見錯誤

❌He has dropsy from eating too much salt.
✅He has edema from a heart condition.
💡Dropsy and edema are the same condition; edema is the modern medical term. The cause is usually related to organ function, not diet alone.