Word
lymph
US/ˈɫɪmf/
UK/lˈɪmf/
Definition
n. a clear, pale liquid in your body that helps fight infections and carries waste away from your cells.
n. a colourless fluid containing white blood cells, which bathes the tissues and drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream.
Examples
“The doctor checked his neck to see if his lymph nodes were swollen.”
“The lymphatic system works to circulate lymph throughout the body, playing a vital role in the immune response.”
“Unlike the circulatory system, which relies on the heart, the movement of lymph depends on the contraction of skeletal muscles and the action of breathing.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor checked his neck to see if his lymph nodes were swollen.”
contextual
“The lymphatic system works to circulate lymph throughout the body, playing a vital role in the immune response.”
complex
“Unlike the circulatory system, which relies on the heart, the movement of lymph depends on the contraction of skeletal muscles and the action of breathing.”
Usage
Typically used in medical or biological contexts; often appears in the compound 'lymph nodes'.
Real-World Examples
“Most experience a “bull’s-eye” rash at the site of the bite, along with other symptoms, including fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, and neck stiffness.” “Symptoms typically include a distinct rash, alongside fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and fatigue.” Etymology
Borrowing from French lymphe and/or Latin lympha (“clear water”), from Ancient Greek νῠ́μφη (nŭ́mphē, “bride; spring water”). Doublet of nymph.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/lymph