Definition

A medical condition that causes severe pain and swelling in the joints, often affecting the feet and hands, due to high levels of uric acid in the blood.

Example

He was diagnosed with gout after experiencing intense pain in his big toe.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of someone suffering from gout?

Yeah, I read it's really painful, especially in the joints.

It sounds awful, especially when it flares up in the feet.

Definitely! I hope I never have to deal with gout.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gout originates from Old French *goutte*, meaning a drop, which in turn comes from Latin *gutta*, meaning a drop of liquid. The word 'gout' refers to a disease characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness in the joints, often associated with the accumulation of uric acid, which can be thought of as drops of fluid in the body.

Memory Tip

Think of 'gout' as related to 'drops' ('goutte' in French) that can accumulate in the joints, causing pain.

Visually Confused Words