Hemorrhoids (?), n. pl. [L. haemorrhoidae, pl., Gr. &unr_;, sing., &unr_; (sc. &unr_;), pl., veins liable to discharge blood, hemorrhoids, fr. &unr_; flowing with blood; ai^ma blood + &unr_; to flow: cf. F. hémorroïdes, hémorrhoïdes. See Rheum.] (Med.) Livid and painful swellings formed by the dilation of the blood vessels around the margin of, or within, the anus, from which blood or mucus is occasionally discharged; piles; emerods. [The sing. hemorrhoid is rarely used.]
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