Rheu'ma-tism, n.

(ru'ma-tĭzm), n. [Gr. ῥευματισμός, from ῥευματίζεσθαι, to have or suffer from a flux, from ῥεῦμα; Lat. rheumatismus, It. & Sp. reumatismo, Fr. rhumatisme. See RHEUM.] (Med.) A painful inflammation affecting muscles and joints of the human body, chiefly the larger joints, as the hips, knees, shoulders, &c.