hemorrhage
HEM-uh-rij
/ˈhɛmərɪdʒ/
A copious discharge of blood from a blood vessel; severe bleeding.
Always implies significant, often life-threatening, blood loss, not just minor bleeding. Can also be used metaphorically for a rapid loss of something else (e.g., funds).
The story behind the word. The word 'hemorrhage' is a true Greek compound, combining 'haima' (meaning 'blood') and 'rhegnunai' (meaning 'to burst forth' or 'to flow'). So, it literally means 'a bursting forth of blood.' This vivid image perfectly captures the severity of uncontrolled bleeding, and the word has been used in medical contexts since ancient times to describe significant blood loss.
Word relationships
- bleeding: Bleeding is a general term for blood loss; hemorrhage specifically means severe, often uncontrolled, bleeding.
- effusion (of blood): Effusion refers to the escape of fluid into a body cavity or tissue, but hemorrhage specifically denotes blood loss, often copious.
- clotting: Clotting is the process by which blood thickens to stop bleeding, the natural opposite of hemorrhage.
- hemostasis: Hemostasis is the arrest of bleeding, whether naturally or artificially, contrasting with uncontrolled hemorrhage.
Word family
- hemorrhagic (adjective): Relating to or characterized by hemorrhage.
Collocations
- internal hemorrhage
- postpartum hemorrhage
- cerebral hemorrhage
- control hemorrhage
Example sentences
- "The internal hemorrhage was difficult to detect without advanced diagnostic imaging." Describing a medical condition.
- "The patient began to hemorrhage after the surgery, requiring an immediate return to the operating room." Referring to the act of bleeding severely.
- "The company suffered a hemorrhage of talent after the merger, as many key employees left." In a metaphorical sense.
Memory hook
Think 'HEMO' (like hemoglobin, blood) and 'RAGE' (like blood raging out of control). Blood RAGES out
When not to use
Do not use for minor cuts or scrapes. It specifically refers to severe, uncontrolled bleeding.
Fun facts
- The Greek root 'haima' is found in many medical terms related to blood, such as 'hematology' (study of blood) and 'anemia' (lack of blood).
- Controlling hemorrhage is one of the most critical aspects of first aid and emergency medicine, often prioritized immediately.
Related words
Explore more words
hemostasis, rupture, vascular, metastasize, depletion, sever
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.