[L. epiphora, a. Gr. ἐπιφορά a bringing to or upon, f. ἐπιφέρειν, f. ἐπί upon + φέρειν to bring.]
1. A sudden afflux of humours; esp. ‘a superabundant flow of tears, or of an aqueous or serous humour from the eyes’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1657. Phys. Dict., Epiphora, involuntary weeping.
1721–1800. in Bailey.
1875. H. Walton, Dis. Eye, 144. It displaced the lower eyelid together with the punctum, and produced epiphora.
1878. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg., I. 348. If accompanied by troublesome watering of the eye, epiphora.
2. Rhet. (See quots.)
1678. Phillips, Epiphora, Force or Impression, a figure in Rhetorick, in which one word is repeated at the end of several Sentences, but differs from Epistrophe, in that it hath respect chiefly to the Matter.
1721–1800. Bailey.
3. Logic. The conclusion of a syllogism or consequent of an hypothesis.
1721. in Bailey; and in mod. Dicts.
