Med. Also ? 9 emphysem. [mod.L., a. Gr. ἐμφύσημα inflation, f. ἐμφυσά-ειν to puff up.] ‘The swelling of a part caused by the presence of air in the interstices of the connective tissue’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., 339. The emphysema or inflation thereof, which is a swelling, caused by external causes, or internal.
1764. Watson, in Phil. Trans., LIV. 242. The disorder … was made infinitely worse by the emphysema.
1828. Webster, Emphysema, emphysem.
1883–4. Med. Ann., 40/2. Asthma … accompanied by emphysema.
