rheum

rheum · noun¹

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromῥεῦμα“stream, humour”
2. Late Latin · derived fromrheuma
3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromreume
4. Middle English · inherited fromreume
5. English todayrheum

From Middle English reume, rewme, from Anglo-Norman reume, from Late Latin rheuma, from Ancient Greek ῥεῦμα (rheûma, “stream, humour”). Doublet of stream.

rheum · noun²

Clipping of rheumatologist.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. Thin or watery discharge of mucus or serum, especially from the eyes or nose, formerly thought to cause disease.
• from 14th c. Illness or disease thought to be caused by such secretions; a catarrh, a cold; rheumatism.
• from 16th c. Tears.