defibrillation
UK[ˌdiːˌfɪbrɪˈleɪʃən]US[ˌdiːˌfɪbrɪˈleɪʃən]
n
The process of stopping the rapid, irregular, and unsynchronized contraction of the heart muscle fibers, especially of the ventricles, by using an electric shock, in order to allow the normal rhythm to be restored by the heart's natural pacemaker.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
fibrill
ation
de
remove, reverse
fibrill
small fiber
ation
action or process
Etymology
The term "defibrillation" is a modern medical coinage built from classical Latin components. It literally means "the process of removing (the condition of) the small fibers." The core element "fibrill-" derives from Latin fibra, meaning "fiber," which in a medical context came to denote the muscular fibers of the heart. The prefix "de-" signifies reversal or removal. Thus, the word's logic directly describes its function: reversing the chaotic, fibrillating state where heart muscle fibers contract independently, and restoring coordinated, synchronous activity. This precise, descriptive construction is characteristic of scientific terminology.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove, reverse) + fibrill (small fiber) + ation (action or process)
de: Latin origin. A prefix meaning "remove, reverse, or undo."
fibrill: Latin origin, from fibra (fiber) + the diminutive suffix -illa. Refers specifically to small fibers, particularly the muscle fibers of the heart.
ation: Latin suffix -ationem, indicating an action or process.
Examples
The patient's life was saved by prompt defibrillation.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed for use by the general public in emergencies.
The success rate of defibrillation decreases rapidly with each passing minute after cardiac arrest.