epithem

E1P3I1T1H4E1M3
UK/ˈɛpɪθəm/

noun

Any external topical application to the body, except ointments and plasters; a poultice, lotion, etc.

OriginAncient Greek ἐπίθεμα →
Scrabble 14
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Meanings

nounepithem (plural epithems)

plural epithems · alternative epitheme

  1. historicalmedicineAny external topical application to the body, except ointments and plasters; a poultice, lotion, etc.

    Bruel prescribes an epitheme for the heart, of bugloss, borage, water-lily, violet waters, sweet wine, balm leaves, nutmegs, cloves, etc.

    1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition 2, section 5, member 1, subsection 5

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekἐπίθεμα
  2. Englishepithem

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἐπίθεμα (epíthema).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

epithem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epithem

MLA

“epithem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epithem. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “epithem,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/epithem.

Source: epithem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.