French word

intumescence

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛ̃tymesɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounswelling

Example

J'ai une intumescence à la cheville.

I have a swelling on my ankle.

Illustration for intumescence (swelling)

More examples

Après m'être cogné le bras, une intumescence est apparue.

After I bumped my arm, a swelling appeared.

Core concept

A palpable or visible swelling confined to a particular area of the body.

Similar words

gonflement: A visibly enlarged or swollen part of the body.
enflure: A localized, raised swelling caused by inflammation.
œdème: Puffiness caused by fluid building up between the body's tissues.

Definition in French

État localisé où un tissu ou une partie du corps devient enflé ou gonflé, visible ou palpable, généralement par accumulation de liquide ou par inflammation.

Word origin

French borrowed intumescence as a learned term based on Latin intumescere, whose meaning is 'to swell'.

Usage tips

  • Intumescence is feminine, so indefinite use is une intumescence and definite use is l'intumescence.

Other meanings

  • bulgenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word