intumescence
(ɪntjuːˈmɛsəns)
[a. F. intumescence (Cotgr. 1611), f. L. intumēscĕre: see prec. and -ence.]
1. The process of swelling up.
| 1656 Blount Glossogr., Intumescence, a swelling, puffing or uprising. 1660 Boyle New Exp. Phys. Mech. iv. (1682) 27 A farther and sufficient manifestation, whence the intumescence of the bladder proceeds. 1671 Phil. Trans. VI. 2141 The Lungs are dilated..; upon their Dilatation follows the Intumescence of the Diaphragme as of a Sail. 1755 Johnson Pref. to Dict. ¶86 As much superiour to human resistance, as the revolutions of the sky, or intumescence of the tide. 1872 W. S. Symonds Rec. Rocks i. 15 Its intumescence forces it to exude through a crack or hole in the cover of the vessel. |
b. fig. in reference to language.
| 1893 F. Hall in Nation (N.Y.) LVI. 274/2 The flatulent intumescence of Dr. Parr. |
2. Physiol. A swelling of the tissue of any organ or part of the body, or of a plant. Also concr.
| 1822–34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 178 Producing a kind of general intumescence of the abdomen on the right side. 1839–47 Todd Cycl. Anat. III. 313/1 The compression made by the intumescence of the muscles. 1858 Carpenter Veg. Phys. §391 A little swelling or intumescence, formed of very spongy cellular tissue, and containing a great deal of fluid. 1861 F. H. Ramadge Curab. Consumpt. 76 In consequence of mucous bronchial intumescence. |
3. The bubbling up of a fluid or molten mass.
| 1661 Boyle Spring Air iii. xx, The intumescence of it might proceed from small parcels of air..harboured in the body of that liquor. 1696 W. Cowper in Phil. Trans. XIX. 234 This Intumescence and agitation of the matter is made in the Stomach. 1796 Hatchett ibid. LXXXVI. 287 The mixture melted without intumescence. 1879 Rutley Study Rocks x. 112 Before the blowpipe sodalite fuses with intumescence to a colourless glass. |
b. fig. Excited spirit or feeling.
| 1775 Johnson Tax. no Tyr. 20 The intumescence of nations would have found its vent, like all other expansive violence, where there was least resistance. |