Main Entry:

hem·or·rhoid

Pronunciation:

\ˈhem-ˌrȯid, ˈhe-mə-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English emeroides, plural, from Anglo-French emorroides, from Latin haemorrhoidae, from Greek haimorrhoides, from haimorrhoos flowing with blood, from haimo- hem- + rhein to flow — more at stream

Date:

14th century

: a mass of dilated veins in swollen tissue at the margin of the anus or nearby within the rectum —usually used in plural —called also piles