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Glite Dictionary
intumescent

intumescent

9.9
Swollen and puffed up because it fills with liquid or gas
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈtjuːməsənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : intumescente
  • In some fireproofing materials, an intumescent coating expands when exposed to heat.

Examples

  • After the allergic reaction, his lips became intumescent and painful.

  • The pathologist noted intumescent tissue around the infected wound.

  • The intumescent material expanded when exposed to heat.

  • After the injury, his arm became intumescent and painful.

  • After the allergic reaction, his lips became intumescent and painful.

  • The pathologist noted intumescent tissue around the infected wound.

  • In some fireproofing materials, an intumescent coating expands when exposed to heat.

Synonyms

swollen
vsintumescent
110 3.2

A body part or object that is larger than normal because it has extra fluid inside

adds the idea of active puffing up rather than just being enlarged
bloated
vsintumescent
70 5.0

A part of the body that is swollen and uncomfortable from extra gas or liquid

is more neutral about discomfort and stresses the puffing up process
puffy
vsintumescent
51 2.2

Rounded and soft in shape, often filled with air or soft material

focuses more on abnormal swelling caused specifically by fluid or gas
bulbous
vsintumescent
10 5.5

Having a round, swollen shape like a bulb

emphasises abnormal internal buildup that makes tissues swell rather than shape alone
tumescent
vsintumescent
  • Specialized
1 9.8

Swollen body tissue that holds extra fluid

is the same idea but emphasises abnormal puffing up rather than neutral change
turgid
vsintumescent
  • Specialized
1 8.6

Being swollen because it is full of liquid

highlights the abnormal puffing up aspect rather than general fullness
distended
vsintumescent
  • Specialized
7.8

A body part that is swollen in an unusual way, often from liquid or gas

focuses more on the process of becoming visibly puffed up
tumid
vsintumescent
9.9

Swollen body part filled with extra fluid or gas

puts more stress on the active becoming or puffing up process

Antonyms

shrunken
4 3.9

Smaller or weaker than before

How Swollen

distended
  • Specialized
7.8
bloated
70 5.0
intumescent
  • Specialized
9.9
puffy
51 2.2

Surface Forms

intumescent positive

Morphology

intumescent = tumescent (semi-transparent) = in + tumescent

Formed by the prefix 'in-' + the adjective 'tumescent'; the morphological relation is direct but both elements are rare and 'in-' is commonly analysed as a negative prefix by learners, so the relation may not be obvious.

Etymology

The word intumescent comes from Latin parts in- meaning 'in' and tumescere meaning 'to swell', so it literally means 'swelling up'. A helpful link is the familiar word tumor, which also comes from the same root and means a swelling, so intumescent is easy to remember as 'becoming swollen' or 'puffed up'.