varices
C2 / Very Low FrequencyFormal, Technical (Medical)
Definition
Meaning
Enlarged, swollen, and tortuous veins, usually referring to veins in the lower oesophagus or in the legs.
In pathology and medicine, it's the plural of varix. More broadly, it can refer to any abnormally dilated and tortuous blood vessel or lymphatic vessel, though this is less common. The term is almost exclusively used in a medical context.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Singular is 'varix', but the singular form is far less common than the plural 'varices'. The word is strongly associated with specific medical conditions: oesophageal varices (a serious complication of liver disease) and varicose veins. It is not used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are identical. Usage is confined to the same technical medical contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely clinical and anatomical; carries a serious connotation, especially when referring to oesophageal varices due to their life-threatening potential.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language but standard within gastroenterology, hepatology, and vascular medicine in both the UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Patient *has* varices.The endoscopy *revealed* large varices.The procedure *was performed to treat* the bleeding varices.Medication *is used to prevent* varices from bleeding.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used exclusively in medical and biological research papers, textbooks, and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A layperson would say 'varicose veins' for leg issues.
Technical
The primary domain. Standard terminology in clinical notes, surgical reports, medical diagnoses, and specialist discussions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- N/A
- N/A
- The surgeon explained that the patient had severe varices in her legs.
- Endoscopic screening is crucial for cirrhotic patients to detect oesophageal varices before they bleed.
- The primary goal of pharmacological therapy is to reduce portal pressure and prevent the formation of new varices.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'VARICose veins' – 'VARICes' is the formal, plural term for similar abnormal veins, often in other parts of the body. Both share the root 'varix' meaning 'dilated vein'.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A. The term is a literal, clinical descriptor.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'вариксы' (a less common Russian medical term). The more common Russian equivalent for 'varicose veins' is 'варикозное расширение вен'. For 'oesophageal varices', the term is 'варикозное расширение вен пищевода'.
- The singular 'varix' is almost never used in Russian clinical parlance; the plural 'varices' is typically translated as a singular noun phrase in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing it as /vəˈraɪsiːz/ (like 'precise').
- Using it as a singular noun (e.g., 'a varices').
- Confusing it with 'vertices' (plural of vertex).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'varices'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The singular is 'varix', but it is very rarely used in practice. Medical professionals almost always refer to the condition in the plural form.
They are related concepts. 'Varicose veins' specifically refer to swollen, twisted veins, usually in the legs. 'Varices' is a broader medical term that can refer to similar dilated veins in other locations, most notably in the oesophagus (oesophageal varices). Leg varices *are* varicose veins.
No. It is a highly specialized medical term. For everyday conversation about swollen leg veins, use 'varicose veins'.
In British English: /ˈvɛːrɪsiːz/ (VAIR-i-seez). In American English: /ˈvɛrɪˌsiːz/ (VAIR-uh-seez). The stress is on the first syllable.