The Collaborative International Dictionary
Lymphatic \Lym*phat"ic\, n.
(Anat.) One of the lymphatic or absorbent vessels, which carry lymph and discharge it into the veins; lymph duct; lymphatic duct.
A mad enthusiast; a lunatic. [Obs.]
Lymphatic \Lym*phat"ic\, a. [L. lymphaticus distracted, frantic: cf. F. lymphatique] pertaining to, containing, or conveying lymph.
2. Madly enthusiastic; frantic. [Obs.] `` Lymphatic rapture.
''
--Sir T. Herbert. [See Lymphate.]
Lymphatic gland (Anat.), one of the solid glandlike bodies connected with the lymphatics or the lacteals; -- called also lymphatic ganglion, and conglobate gland.
Lymphatic temperament (Old Physiol.), a temperament in which the lymphatic system seems to predominate, that is, a system in which the complexion lacks color and the tissues seem to be of loose texture; hence, a temperament lacking energy, inactive, indisposed to exertion or excitement. See Temperament.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1640s, from Latin lymphaticus, from lympha (see lymph). Also sometimes used in the classical Latin sense "mad, frenzied," which was the primary sense of lymphaticus in Latin: OED reports this "difficult to account for," but perhaps due to association of lympha with nymphe; compare Greek nymphian "to be frenzy-stricken."\n
Wiktionary
a. 1 (context anatomy English) Pertaining to lymph or the lymphatic system. 2 Lacking energy or enthusiasm. 3 Madly enthusiastic; frantic. n. (context anatomy English) A vessel that transports lymph.
WordNet
adj. of or relating to or produced by lymph
Wikipedia
Usage examples of "lymphatic".
Persons of a lymphatic or bilious temperament often find that coffee disagrees with them, aggravating their troubles and causing biliousness, constipation, and headache, while tea proves agreeable and beneficial.
After a while his organs had begun to degenerate, depleted calcium levels had reduced his bones to brittle porcelain sticks, muscles had atrophied, and fluid bloated his tissues, impairing his lungs, degrading his lymphatic system.
The lymphatics in the wall of the intestine take up some of the digested food from the cells and pass it on through the lymph glands of the abdomen to the lymph duct which empties into a vein near the heart.
There is a comparable filaria that infects man and clogs up the lymphatic ducts.
Although elephantiasis is met with in all climates, it is more common in the tropics, and its occurrence has been repeatedly demonstrated in these localities to be dependent on the presence in the lymphatics of the filaria sanguinis hominis.
Invading the leukocyte reservoirs, enemy cells permeated rigid walls of bone, forced their way inside the fragile spleen, spilled over and swam freely through the wide lymphatic passages.
The structure of the spleen and that of the mesenteric glands are similar, although the former is provided with a scanty supply of lymphatic vessels, and the chyle does not pass through it, as through the mesenteric glands.
Experiments upon living animals have proved that absorption of poisonous substances occurs, even when all communication by way of the lacteals and lymphatics is obstructed, the passage by the blood-vessels alone remaining.
All the lymph is collected into the largest lymphatic of all, the thoracic duct, which leads into the subclavian vein in the upper chest and is thus restored to the main circulatory system.
It begins by a convergence and union of the lymphatics on the lumbar vertebrae, in front of the spinal column, then passes upward through the diaphragm to the lower part of the neck, thence curves forward and downward, opening into the subclavian vein near its junction with the left jugular vein, which leads to the heart.
This receives lymph from all parts of the body not drained by the right lymphatic duct, and empties it into the left subclavian vein.
It is the duty of the lymphatics to slowly convert the fat by such transformation, that when it reaches the general circulation, it may there unite with other organic compounds, the process being aided by atmospheric nitrogen, introduced during the act of respiration.
This action, at first sight somewhat obscure, is due to the extreme pupillary contraction which removes the mass of the iris from pressing upon the spaces of Fontana, through which the intraocular fluids normally make a very slow escape from the eye into its efferent lymphatics.
The lungs are abundantly supplied with blood-vessels, lymphatics, and nerves.
A body having an atonic or a lymphatic temperament is abundantly supplied with absorbent organs, which are very sluggish in their operations.