in·flam·ma·tion

[in-fluh-mey-shuhn]
noun
1.
Pathology. redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, heat, and disturbed function of an area of the body, especially as a reaction of tissues to injurious agents.
2.
the act or fact of inflaming.
3.
the state of being inflamed.
Origin:
1525–35; < Latin inflammātiōn- (stem of inflammātiō), equivalent to inflammāt(us) (past participle of inflammāre; see inflame, -ate1) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms
sub·in·flam·ma·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Inflammation is always a great word to know.
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a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
inflammation (ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  the reaction of living tissue to injury or infection, characterized by heat, redness, swelling, and pain
2.  the act of inflaming or the state of being inflamed

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

inflammation
"redness or swelling in a body part," 1530s; see inflame.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

inflammation in·flam·ma·tion (ĭn'flə-mā'shən)
n.
A localized protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection, characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function.

in·flame' v.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
inflammation   (ĭn'flə-mā'shən)  Pronunciation Key 
The reaction of a part of the body to injury or infection, characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain. The process includes increased blood flow with an influx of white blood cells and other chemical substances that facilitate healing.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

inflammation definition


The response of tissue to injury or infection. Pain, heat, redness, and swelling are the four basic symptoms of inflammation.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
Sometimes patients suffer eye inflammation, cheek swelling, and facial nerve palsy.
Controlling inflammation could be the key to a healthy old age.
It may also shed light on why the immune system sometimes spirals out of control, resulting in dangerous inflammation.
The drugs relieve symptoms but can, without warning, increase dangerous bronchial inflammation.
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