Also 8–9 sin-. [mod.L. sinovia, synovia, also synophia, an invention, prob. arbitrarily formed, of Paracelsus (died 1541), applied by him to the nutritive fluid peculiar to the several parts of the body, and also to the gout (see quot. in b below), but limited by later physicians to the fluid of the joints.
In mod. dicts. it is derived from Gr. σύν SYN- + ὠόν, L. ōvum egg, on account of the resemblance of synovia to the white of egg. This is without foundation, and conflicts with Paracelsus’s description of synovia as reddish, dark red, grey, etc., according to the part.]
Phys. The viscid albuminous fluid secreted in the interior of the joints, and in the sheaths of the tendons, and serving to lubricate them; also called joint-oil or joint-water.
[1650. Chymicall Dict., Sinonia [sic] is white glew of the joints (transl. of 1583 Dorneus, Dict. Theophr. Paracelsi, Sinonia est gluten album articulorum).
1693. trans. Blancard’s Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Synovia, the glutinous Matter betwixt the Joynts.]
1726. Monro, Anat. Bones (1741), 59. When the Synovia is not rubbed betwixt the Bones, it inspissates.
1769. Phil. Trans., LIX. 44. Without a bursal ligament … to contain the synovia, and keep the bone in its place.
1842. W. Arnot, Mem. J. Halley, iv. 333. His sprightliness was one reason why his strength lasted so long. It acted like sinovia on the joints of his body.
1872. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg. (1878), I. 59. In some cases the articulation is only filled with an increase of synovia.
† b. Path. A morbid condition or discharge of this fluid. Obs.
Cf. Paracelsus, Paragraphorum, VII. i, De Podagra … Geminum vero morbi nomen synouia est. Hoc enim ex morbi caussa desumitur.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., 215. The powder used outwardly helps the Synovia, and mundifieth old ulcers.
1758. J. S., Le Dran’s Observ. Surg. (1771), 296. [He] had an inspissated Sinovia upon his right Foot, which possessed not only the Articulation, but spread over the whole Foot.
1766. Compl. Farmer, s.v. Pricking, If the tendon is wounded, the sole must be carefully drawn, because a sinovia and gleet is discharged. [Cf. quot. 1824 s.v. SYNOVY.]
