definition of dropsy
DROPSY, n. L, Gr., water; the face. Formerly written hydropisy; whence by contraction, dropsy. In medicine, an unnatural collection of water, in an part of the body, proceeding from a greater effusion of serum by the exhalant arteries, than the absorbents take up. It occurs most frequently in persons of lax habits, or in bodies debilitated by disease.