Medicine & BodyGreek → English
Diuretic
/ˌdaɪjʊˈrɛtɪk/noun
A substance that makes the kidneys produce more urine.
The Greek roots
διά
diá
through
οὐρεῖν
ourein
to urinate
Literally: “passing water through”
The story of the word
The compound is διά, through, plus οὐρέω, to pass water: something that sends the water through. Greek and medieval physicians reached for diuretics constantly, since dropsy, the visible swelling we now call oedema, was one of the few conditions they could actually relieve. Sport bans them for a second reason entirely: a flooded urine sample dilutes whatever else is in it, so diuretics sit on the prohibited list as masking agents as much as for making weight.
- How it travelled
- Ancient Greek → Latin → Old French → English
- First recorded
- 14th century
Same family
urologyureaenuresisdiameter
In a sentence
The cardiologist added a mild diuretic and told him to weigh himself daily.
Coffee is a weak diuretic, which is not a reason to drink more of it.