varix

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: var=ix

CIDE DICTIONARY

varix, n. [L.].

•  A uneven, permanent dilatation of a vein.  [1913 Webster]

  " Varices are owing to local retardation of the venous circulation, and in some cases to relaxation of the parietes of the veins. They are very common in the superficial veins of the lower limbs."  Dunglison.  [1913 Webster]
•  One of the prominent ridges or ribs extending across each of the whorls of certain univalve shells.  [1913 Webster]

  " The varices usually indicate stages of growth, each one showing a former position of the outer lip of the aperture."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

varix, n. (pl. varices)
1 Med. a a permanent abnormal dilation of a vein or artery. b a vein etc. dilated in this way.
2 each of the ridges across the whorls of a univalve shell.

Etymology

ME f. L varix -icis