transfusion
noun
trans·fu·sion
tran(t)s-ˈfyü-zhən
1
: an act, process, or instance of transfusing
especially
: the process of transfusing fluid (such as blood) into a vein or artery
2
: something transfused
Did you know?
When blood transfusions were first attempted by Europeans in the early 1600s, they were met with skepticism, since the established practice was to bleed patients, not transfuse them with blood. Some patients were transfused with animal blood, and so many died as a result that by 1700 transfusions had been widely outlawed. Not until 1900 were the major blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) recognized, making transfusions safe and effective.
Cite this Entry
“Transfusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfusion. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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