Ileus
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the gastrointestinal tract, due to failure of peristalsis.
- 2 blockage of the intestine (especially the ileum) that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing to the lower bowel wordnet
- 3 Disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the gastrointestinal tract from any cause. archaic
"1796, Erasmus Darwin, Zoonomia, Volume II: Classes of Diseases, IV: Diseases of Association, Ordo III: Retrograde Associate Motions, Genus II: Catenated with sensitive motions, The perpetual vomiting in ileus is caused in like manner by the defective excitement of the sensorial power of association by the bowel, which is torpid during the intervals of pain; and the stomach sympathizes with it."
Example
More examples"1796, Erasmus Darwin, Zoonomia, Volume II: Classes of Diseases, IV: Diseases of Association, Ordo III: Retrograde Associate Motions, Genus II: Catenated with sensitive motions, The perpetual vomiting in ileus is caused in like manner by the defective excitement of the sensorial power of association by the bowel, which is torpid during the intervals of pain; and the stomach sympathizes with it."
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin īleus, from Ancient Greek εἰλεός (eileós, “intestinal obstruction”).
Related phrases
More for "ileus"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.