What does haemorrhoid mean?
A haemorrhoid is a swollen blood vessel or group of blood vessels in the lower rectum or anal canal. The condition may be internal, arising within the rectum, or external, developing beneath the surrounding skin. Haemorrhoids can cause pain, itching, swelling and sometimes bleeding, although many people have no symptoms. The word is ordinarily used in the plural because swollen vessels commonly develop in clusters, even when a particular case appears to involve only one. In formal medical writing, “haemorrhoid” is standard British English, while American English usually spells it “hemorrhoid”; the familiar term “piles” is also widely understood. The word has an unusual history: it reached English through Latin from ancient Greek, where it was formed from terms for “blood” and “flow.” Understanding this literal origin helps explain its medical meaning, while the related word “haemorrhage” refers to bleeding rather than to the swollen vessels themselves.
nounA haemorrhoid is a swollen blood vessel or cluster of blood vessels in the lower rectum or anal canal. Haemorrhoids may be internal or external and commonly occur in multiples.
- A swollen blood vessel or cluster of blood vessels in the lower rectum or anal canal, occurring internally or externally.
"She consulted a doctor about the persistent discomfort caused by haemorrhoids."
"The pharmacist recommended a cream to relieve irritation associated with haemorrhoids."
"Haemorrhoids are a common medical complaint, particularly during pregnancy and in people who strain when defecating."
The standard plural is commonly used collectively for the condition, including when only one prominent swelling is present.
"Increasing dietary fibre may help prevent constipation and associated haemorrhoids."
Break the awkwardness: haemorrhoid comes from ancient Greek words meaning “blood” and “flow.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does haemorrhoid come from?
The English word comes through Latin from ancient Greek haimorrhoos, a term formed from haima, “blood,” and rheō, “to flow.” The Greek expression referred to bleeding and was eventually applied medically to the swollen vessels now called haemorrhoids. English borrowed the term in the late Middle English period, and related words such as haemorrhage and haemorrhagic preserve the same Greek roots concerning blood and flow.
Related word forms
How haemorrhoid is actually used
This is a clinical and generally formal term, while “piles” is a familiar alternative often used in everyday speech. “Haemorrhoid” is the standard British spelling; American English normally uses “hemorrhoid.” The word is commonly used in the plural because the condition usually involves several swollen vessels.
Easily confused with haemorrhoid
A haemorrhoid is a swollen vessel in or around the anus, whereas a haemorrhage is significant bleeding, often from a damaged blood vessel.
A haemorrhoid affects blood vessels in the anal region, while a haematoma is a localized pool of blood formed within tissue.