embolism

Pronunciation: [ˈɛmbɫ̩ɪzm̩]

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an insertion into a calendar
  2. noun occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus (a loose clot or air bubble or other particle)

Etymology

The term was coined in 1848 by Rudolf Virchow. From Old French embolisme (“intercalation of days in a calendar to correct errors”), from Late Latin embolismus, from Ancient Greek ἐμβολισμός (embolismós, “intercalary”), from ἐμβάλλω (embállō, “to insert, throw in”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

intercalation

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
time interval

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