perfuse

verb

per·​fuse (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüz How to pronounce perfuse (audio)
perfused; perfusing

transitive verb

1
2
a
: to cause to flow or spread : diffuse
b
: to force a fluid through (an organ or tissue) especially by way of the blood vessels
perfusion noun

Examples of perfuse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Activities for people with dementia are usually perfused with nostalgia, turning away from the difficult present to relive what remains of the past. Kat McGowan, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2024 Recent research suggests that mycorrhizal networks also perfuse prairies, grasslands, chaparral and Arctic tundra — essentially everywhere there is life on land. Julia Skinner, Longreads, 16 July 2022 Several thousand patients had such severe problems with their hearts and lungs that doctors had to divert their blood out of their bodies and perfuse it with oxygen by machine—a last ditch treatment known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2012

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perfuse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin perfusus, past participle of perfundere to pour over, from per- through + fundere to pour — more at found

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of perfuse was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near perfuse

Cite this Entry

“Perfuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perfuse. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

perfuse

transitive verb
per·​fuse (ˌ)pər-ˈfyüz How to pronounce perfuse (audio)
perfused; perfusing
1
: suffuse
the skin was perfused by blood
2
a
: to cause to flow or spread : diffuse
b
: to force a fluid through (an organ or tissue) especially by way of the blood vessels
perfuse a liver with salt solution

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