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REFERENCE

migraine

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmaɪˌɡɹeɪn// UK //mˈaɪɡɹeɪn// mi·graine

n. a very strong headache that often makes you feel sick or sensitive to light. It can last for several hours or even days.

n. a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.


SIMPLE

She had to stay in a dark room because of her migraine.

CONTEXTUAL

Many people who suffer from migraines find that certain foods or stress can trigger a painful episode.

COMPLEX

While over-the-counter painkillers may help mild cases, chronic migraine often requires specialized medication to manage the neurological symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks.

Synonyms
Origin

First appears c. 1425. A respelling (following French) of the late 14th century Middle English megrim, from the 13th century Old French migraigne, from Vulgar Latin pronunciation of Latin hemicrania (“a pain in one half of the head”), from Ancient Greek ἡμικρανία (hēmikranía), from ἡμι- (hēmi-, “hemi-, half”) + κρανίον (kraníon, “the skull”) (whence also cranium), a calque of Egyptian gs-tp (“a headache”), from gs (“half”) + tp (“the head”), although the link between the Egyptian magical papyri and the Greek ἡμικρανία (hēmikranía) could be purely incidental. Cognate to megrim, hemicrania.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'have', 'get', or 'suffer from'.

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