from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hemorrhoids \Hem"or*rhoids\, n. pl. [L. haemorrhoidae, pl., Gr.
?, sing., ? (sc. ?), pl., veins liable to discharge blood,
hemorrhoids, fr. ? flowing with blood; a"i^ma blood + ? to
flow: cf. F. h['e]morro["i]des, h['e]morrho["i]des. See
{Rheum}.] (Med.)
Livid and painful swellings formed by the dilation of the
blood vessels around the margin of, or within, the anus, from
which blood or mucus is occasionally discharged; piles;
emerods.
Usage: [The sing. {hemorrhoid} is rarely used.]
[1913 Webster]