lithiasis

noun

li·​thi·​a·​sis li-ˈthī-ə-səs How to pronounce lithiasis (audio)
plural lithiases li-ˈthī-ə-ˌsēz How to pronounce lithiasis (audio)
: the formation of stony concretions in the body (as in the gallbladder)

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin lithiāsis "presence of calculi in the urinary tract or gall bladder," borrowed from Greek lithíāsis, from lithiā-, variant stem of lithiáō, lithiân "to suffer from calculi" (derivative of líthos "stone, rock," of obscure origin) + -sis -sis

First Known Use

circa 1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lithiasis was circa 1657

Dictionary Entries Near lithiasis

lithia mica

lithiasis

lithiate

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Lithiasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lithiasis. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

lithiasis

noun
li·​thi·​a·​sis lith-ˈī-ə-səs How to pronounce lithiasis (audio)
plural lithiases -ˌsēz How to pronounce lithiasis (audio)
: the formation of stony concretions in the body (as in the urinary tract or gallbladder)
—often used in combination
cholelithiasis
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
sweet smart pug puppy dog sitting in front of blackboard with chalk question marks
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Vol. 3 Do you have a (flare/flair) for choosing the righ...