‖ vomica
(ˈvɒmɪkə)
Pl. vomicæ (-ɪsiː), and vomicas.
[L. vomica boil, ulcer, f. vomĕre to eject, vomit. Hence also It., Sp., Pg. vomica, F. vomique, in sense 2.]
1. † a. A vent or opening. Obs.—1
| 1572 J. Jones Bathes of Bath ii. 15 b, It should followe, that where such hote bathes were, there should bee vomica and a chimney, out of whiche that flame should bee expelled. |
b. A place at which water issues.
| 1838 Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. I. 273/1 It is obvious that the conflux of the springs in the Beck, is greater than the unvarying quantity gauged at the vomica or source of each Spring. |
2. Path. a. An ulcerous cavity or abscess in the substance of the lungs or (more rarely) some other internal organ.
| 1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Vomica, a fault in the Lungs, from Heterogeneous Blood. 1732 Arbuthnot Rules of Diet in Aliments, etc. i. 387 If the Ulcer is not broke it is commonly call'd a Vomica. 1775 T. Percival Ess. (1776) III. 104 The lungs become inflamed, a cough ensues, tubercles or a vomica are formed. 1822–7 Good Study Med. (1829) I. 639 Vomicas or indurated tumours of whatever kind in the substance of the lungs. 1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 156 A vomica in the middle lobe of the right lung. 1880 A. Flint Princ. Med. 196 The ulcerative cavities, vomicæ, result from a softening of the tuberculous and inflammatory cheesy material and its removal through the bronchi. |
b. A sudden and profuse expectoration of purulent or putrid matter.
| 1895– in American dicts. |