obstruction of the intestine, esp the ileum, by mechanical occlusion or as the result of distension of the bowel following loss of muscular action
Word origin
C18: from Latin īleos severe colic, from Greek eileos a rolling, twisting, from eilein to roll
ileus in American English
(ˈɪliəs)
noun
an abnormal condition caused by paralysis or obstruction of the intestines and resulting in the failure of intestinal contents to pass through properly
Word origin
ModL < L ileus, ileos < Gr eileos, colic, altered (infl. by eilein, to twist) < eilyos < eilyein, to envelop, creep along < IE *wel-, to turn, roll > walk