First Known Use: 1693
Dictionary
ileus
noun il·e·us \ˈi-lē-əs\
Definition of ILEUS
: functional obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract and especially the small intestine that is marked by the absence of peristalsis
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Origin of ILEUS
Latin, from Greek eileos, from eilyein to roll — more at voluble
Medical Dictionary
ileus
noun il·e·us \ˈil-ē-əs\
Medical Definition of ILEUS
: obstruction of the bowel; specifically : a condition that is commonly marked by a painful distended abdomen, vomiting of dark or fecal matter, toxemia, and dehydration and that results when the intestinal contents back up because peristalsis fails although the lumen is not occluded—compare volvulus
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