n.
Pronunciation: ˌ em(p)-f ə - ' z ē -m ə , - ' s ē -
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek emphys ē ma, from emphysan to inflate, from em- 2 en- + physan to blow, from physa breath ― more at PUSTULE
Date: 1661
: a condition characterized by air-filled expansions of body tissues specifically : a condition of the lung marked by abnormal enlargement of the alveoli with loss of pulmonary elasticity that is characterized especially by shortness of breath and may lead to impairment of heart action
– em · phy · se · ma · tous \ - ' ze-m ə -t ə s, - ' se-, - ' z ē -, - ' s ē - \ adjective
– em · phy · se · mic \ - ' z ē -mik, - ' s ē - \ adjective