Hem"or*rhoids (?), n. pl. [L. haemorrhoidae, pl., Gr. , sing., (sc. ), pl., veins liable to discharge blood, hemorrhoids, fr. flowing with blood; blood + to flow: cf. F. h'emorroides, h'emorrhoides. See Rheum.] Med.
Livid and painful swellings formed by the dilation of the blood vessels around the margin of, or within, the anus, from which blood or mucus is occasionally discharged; piles; emerods. [The sing. hemorrhoid is rarely used.]
© Webster 1913.