tenesmus

Definition

A continual or recurrent but ineffectual inclination to evacuate the bowels, caused by disorder of the rectum or other illness.

Etymology

Borrowing from Medieval Latin tēnesmus, from Ancient Greek τεινεσμός (teinesmós, “vain endeavor to evacuate”), from τείνω (teínō, “to stretch, to pull tight”) + -εσμός (-esmós, nominal suffix).

Example Sentences

• "The general complaints of disease among us, were a dizziness in the head, great weakness of the joints, and violent tenesmus, most of us having had no evacuation by stool since we left the ship."