- pessary
- pessary c.1400, from L.L. pessarium, from Gk. pessarion "medicated tampon of wool or lint," dim. of pessos "pessary," earlier "oval stone used in games," perhaps of Semitic origin.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
pessary
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Pessary — Pes sa*ry, n.; pl. {Pessaries}. [L. pessarium, pessum, pessus, Gr. ?: cf. F. pessaire.] (Med.) (a) An instrument or device to be introduced into and worn in the vagina, to support the uterus, or remedy a malposition. (b) A medicinal substance in… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
pessary — ► NOUN (pl. pessaries) 1) a small soluble medicinal or contraceptive block inserted into the vagina. 2) a device inserted into the vagina to support the uterus. ORIGIN Latin pessarium, from Greek pessos oval stone … English terms dictionary
pessary — [pes′ə rē] n. pl. pessaries [ME pessarie < LL pessarium < pessum < Gr pessos, oval pebble] a device worn in the vagina to support a displaced uterus or to prevent conception … English World dictionary
Pessary — A pessary is a small plastic or silicone medical device which is inserted into the vagina or rectum and held in place by the pelvic floor musculature. An assortment of pessaries Contents … Wikipedia
pessary — 1. An appliance of varied form, introduced into the vagina to support the uterus or to correct any displacement. 2. A medicated vaginal suppository. [L. pessarium, fr. G. pessos, an oval stone used in certain games] … Medical dictionary
pessary — n. 1) a plastic device, often ring shaped, that fits into the vagina and keeps the uterus in position: used to treat prolapse. The usual type is a ring pessary but occasionally a Hodge pessary is used. 2) (vaginal suppository) a plug or cylinder… … The new mediacal dictionary
pessary — noun (plural ries) Etymology: Middle English pessarie, from Anglo French, from Late Latin pessarium, from pessus, pessum pessary, from Greek pessos oval stone for playing checkers, pessary Date: 14th century 1. a vaginal suppository 2. a device… … New Collegiate Dictionary
pessary — [[t]pe̱səri[/t]] pessaries 1) N COUNT A pessary is a small block of a medicine or a contraceptive chemical that a woman puts in her vagina. 2) N COUNT A pessary is a device that is put in a woman s vagina to support her womb … English dictionary
pessary — UK [ˈpesərɪ] / US noun [countable] Word forms pessary : singular pessary plural pessaries 1) a solid medicine or chemical substance put into a woman s vagina to cure an infection or to prevent her becoming pregnant 2) a piece of plastic put into… … English dictionary
pessary — noun a) A medical device similar to the outer ring of a contraceptive diaphragm, most commonly used to support a displaced uterus; also called therapeutic pessary. b) A diaphragm. Syn: diaphra … Wiktionary
