enema
UK[ˈen.ɪ.mə]US[ˈen.ə.mə]
n
a medical procedure in which a liquid is injected into the rectum to cleanse it or to administer a drug.
n
the liquid or substance used in such a procedure.
Morpheme Breakdown
en
ema
en
in
ema
injection
Etymology
the word 'enema' has a direct and literal lineage from ancient greek. it originates from the phrase 'enienai', meaning 'to send in' or 'inject', which is composed of 'en' (in) and 'hienai' (to send). this was nominalized into 'enema', signifying 'that which is sent in'. entering english via late latin in the 15th century, the term has consistently referred to the medical procedure of introducing a liquid into the body via the rectum. the logic from its greek roots to its modern medical meaning is transparent, preserving the core idea of an internal injection.
Analysis
Structure: en (in) + ema (injection)
en- (prefix, from greek 'en', meaning 'in'); -ema (suffix, from greek '-ema', indicating the result of an action, here related to 'hienai' meaning 'to send' or 'throw').
Examples
the patient was given an enema before the surgical procedure.
a saline enema can be an effective remedy for severe constipation.
the nurse prepared the equipment for the enema.