embolism

From Old French embolisme (“intercalation of days in a calendar to correct errors”), from Late Latin embolismus.

embolism (plural embolisms)

1. (pathology) An obstruction or occlusion of an artery by an embolus, that is by a blood clot, air bubble or other matter that has been transported by the blood stream.
2. The insertion or intercalation of days into the calendar in order to correct the error arising from the difference between the civil year and the solar year.
   • 1844, The Asiatic journal and monthly miscellany‎, volume 2:

     Authorities differ as to the manner in which the Arabs practised embolism: some say, they added a month to every third year; others, that they intercalated seven months in a period of nineteen years ; and others, nine months in twenty-four years.

3. An intercalated prayer for deliverance from evil coming after the Lord's Prayer.

• embolus

• thrombosis