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embolie

embolism

noun ahm-bo-LEE Rare

Origin: Greek embolē, 'insertion'

Also means

blockage

Usage Note

Embolie refers to the sudden obstruction of a blood vessel by a clot or air bubble. The most feared form is l'embolie pulmonaire (pulmonary embolism), which blocks arteries in the lungs. The related adjective is embolique.

Examples

"L'embolie pulmonaire peut être fatale."

Natural Translation

A pulmonary embolism can be fatal.

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