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 : intercalation
2 a : the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus b : embolus

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