rheu·mat·ic (rōō-māt'ĭk) adj. Of, relating to, or suffering from rheumatism. n.
One who is affected by rheumatism.
rheumaticsInformal Pains caused by rheumatism.
[Middle English reumatik, of rheum, from Old French reumatique, from Latin rheumaticus, suffering from rheum, from Greek rheumatikos, from rheuma, rheumat-, stream; see rheum.]
1398, from O.Fr. reumatique, from L. rheumaticus "troubled with rheum," from Gk. rheumatikos, from rheuma (see rheum). Rheumatism is attested from 1601.