Rheumatism is an illness that makes your joints or muscles stiff and painful. Older people, especially, suffer from rheumatism.
rheumatism in British English
(ˈruːməˌtɪzəm)
noun
any painful disorder of joints, muscles, or connective tissue
Compare arthritis, fibrositis
Word origin
C17: from Latin rheumatismus catarrh, from Greek rheumatismos; see rheum
rheumatism in American English
(ˈruməˌtɪzəm)
noun
Nontechnical
any of various painful conditions of the joints and muscles, characterized by inflammation, stiffness, etc., including rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, and neuritis
Word origin
L rheumatismus, rheum < Gr rheumatismos < rheumatizein, to suffer from a flux < rheuma: see rheum
Examples of 'rheumatism' in a sentence
rheumatism
All the heat certainly did wonders for my rheumatism and ensured my continuing agility.
Howatch, Susan ABSOLUTE TRUTHS (2002)
Akbar jumped up, ignoring the twinge of rheumatism which sudden action always produced in his leg.
Shah, Idries KARA KUSH (2002)
He could feel a change in the air, making his rheumatism play up.
Stuart Harrison LOST SUMMER (2002)
In other languages
rheumatism
British English: rheumatism /ˈruːməˌtɪzəm/ NOUN
Rheumatism is an illness that makes your joints or muscles stiff and painful. Older people, especially, suffer from rheumatism.