gout

Everyday

1. A painful illness that makes joints, especially the big toe, swollen, red and sore. tree →
2. (literary) A drop or spurt of liquid: «gouts of blood». tree →

In the lessons

In history and health: gout was linked to rich food and drink, and kings like Henry VIII suffered from it. In everyday life, older adults may have gout. In older stories, «gouts» of water or flame are spurts.

Examples

• Grandpa's gout makes his toe very sore. tree →
• King Henry suffered from gout. tree →
• Gout can be helped by medicine and diet. tree →
• He couldn't walk far because of gout. tree →
• The doctor said it was gout. tree →
• (literary) Gouts of flame shot from the dragon's mouth. tree →

Note

Uncountable for the illness. Pronounced «gowt» (rhymes with out). Myth: only rich people get gout — anyone can.