Definition

Swollen or distended, often describing tissue or organs filled with blood or fluid; can also metaphorically describe prose or speech that is pompous, bombastic, or excessively elaborate. In medical contexts, turgidity refers to the state of firmness or rigidity.

Example Usage

The turgid writing style of the academic paper made it difficult to follow the author's main argument.

Origin

From Latin 'turgidus,' derived from 'turgere' (to swell), with origins in Proto-Indo-European 'swell' roots.

Fun Fact

In plant biology, 'turgor pressure' is the force exerted by fluid inside plant cells that keeps plants rigid and upright; when plants lose turgor, they wilt.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

Related Terms