What does megrim mean?
Megrim is an old or dialectal English noun for a migraine. The word now has a chiefly historical or regional status, appearing in older literature and conversation rather than in routine modern medical language. It refers to a severe headache, commonly understood as one occurring with symptoms such as nausea and disturbed vision or sensation. Although the form looks unusual, it belongs to the same historical word as the modern term migraine, which ultimately derives through French from a Latin medical form built on Greek roots meaning “head” and “pain.” Megrim is therefore less useful for identifying a distinct condition than for recognizing an older stage of English vocabulary and an earlier pronunciation of the familiar medical term. In contemporary writing, migraine is normally the clearer and more natural choice.
nounAn archaic or dialectal form of migraine, especially a severe headache accompanied by nausea and visual or sensory disturbances.
- A migraine or severe headache, especially one occurring as an archaic or dialectal term.
"She took to bed with a painful megrim."
"A violent megrim settled behind her eyes."
"The old doctor treated him for a megrim with rest and a darkened room."
The plural is grammatical but rarely needed because the term itself is archaic or dialectal.
"Her recurrent megrims prevented her from attending the meeting."
Once the standard English word for migraine, megrim survives mainly in literature, dialect, and an earlier sound: “migraine” took over as the familiar form.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does megrim come from?
Megrim developed as an English form of the older continental term for migraine, found in Middle French and Middle English. The modern English word migraine belongs to the same word family, with the earlier megrim form reflecting an earlier pronunciation and spelling. Both trace through Latin to Greek kephalē, meaning “head,” and algos, meaning “pain,” reflecting the word’s long history as a medical description for severe headache.
How megrim is actually used
The word is archaic or regional rather than standard in modern English. It may appear in historical writing and should not ordinarily be used in current medical contexts.
Easily confused with megrim
Megrim is an older or dialectal spelling and form of migraine, rather than a separate medical condition.