Main Entry:

em·bo·lism

Pronunciation:

\ˈem-bə-ˌli-zəm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English embolisme, from Medieval Latin embolismus, from Greek embol- (from emballein to insert, intercalate) — more at emblem

Date:

14th century

1: the insertion of one or more days in a calendar : intercalation2 a: the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus b: embolus

— em·bo·lis·mic \ˌem-bə-ˈliz-mik\ adjective