mumps
UK[mʌmps]US[mʌmps]
n
An infectious disease that causes painful swelling of the glands at the sides of the face and neck.
Etymology
The word 'mumps' originates from the now-obsolete English verb 'mump', which meant to grimace, mumble, or sulk. This verb is thought to be imitative in origin, mimicking the action of chewing with a grimace or the muffled speech caused by swollen glands. The disease name, first recorded in the 16th century, was derived from this verb because the characteristic facial swelling and difficulty in speaking gave sufferers a mumping, or grimacing, appearance. Thus, the term evolved from describing a physical action to specifically denoting the disease that causes that distinctive physical state.
Analysis
The word is a simplex, derived from the obsolete English verb 'mump', meaning to grimace or sulk, likely of imitative origin.
Examples
Children are routinely vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella.
He missed a week of school after coming down with the mumps.
The painful swelling from mumps usually subsides within a week or two.