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dropsy

noun
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drop·​sy | \ ˈdräp-sē How to pronounce dropsy (audio) \

Definition of dropsy

: edema

Examples of dropsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This offer is valid only for townsfolk with proof of dropsy, mumps, polio, lumbago, colitis, bursitis, bites of the wolf most vile, and other afflictions covered under the purview of Clifton’s marvellous medical menagerie. — Evan Waite, The New Yorker, "Dr. Clifton’s Fantastical Miracle Elixir Return Policy," 19 May 2020 Kendrick Bourne had the dropsies, Emmanuel Sanders was injured and Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin were invisible. — Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, "49ers’ Deebo Samuel joins Jerry Rice in select group," 14 Nov. 2019 Washington receivers try to regroup from a bad case of the dropsies. — oregonlive, "Why the UCLA Bruins should not give up the ship with Chip: Issues & Answers," 12 Sep. 2019 Now ague, biliousness, lumbago, Saint Vitus’s dance and dropsy. — Washington Post, "Gene Weingarten: A few (end of) life hacks for the young geezers," 24 Aug. 2019 Undrafted rookie receiver Jakobi Meyers had two great catches Thursday and looks like a find, while N’Keal Harry got over his case of the dropsies from Wednesday and had a very good bounce-back day. — Nora Princiotti, BostonGlobe.com, "Right now, Patriots defense is far ahead of the offense," 1 Aug. 2019 Jackson, who survived diseases like smallpox, malaria, dysentery, rheumatism and dropsy and endured physical disability most of his adult life after being shot in the chest during a duel, was just shy of Mr. Trump in stature, standing 6-foot-1. — Peter Baker, New York Times, "Jackson and Trump: How Two Populist Presidents Compare," 15 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dropsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of dropsy

13th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for dropsy

Middle English dropesie, short for ydropesie, from Anglo-French, from Latin hydropisis, modification of Greek hydrōps, from hydōr water — more at water

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Time Traveler for dropsy

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The first known use of dropsy was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Dropsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dropsy. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for dropsy

dropsy

noun
drop·​sy | \ ˈdräp-sē How to pronounce dropsy (audio) \
plural dropsies

Medical Definition of dropsy

: edema

More from Merriam-Webster on dropsy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dropsy

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