ˈhərnēə, ˈhə̄n-, ˈhəin-, -nyə noun
( plural herni·as -nēəz, -nyəz ; or herni·ae -nēˌē)
Etymology: Latin — more at yarn
: a protrusion especially of one of the abdominal viscera through connective tissue or through a wall of the cavity in which it is normally enclosed — called also rupture
• her·nial -nēəl, -nyəl adjective