noun Medicine/Medical.
- the injection of a fluid into the rectum to cause a bowel movement.
- the fluid injected.
- Also called enema bag. a rubber bag or other device for administering an enema.
noun plural -mas or -mata (-mətə) med
- the introduction of liquid into the rectum to evacuate the bowels, medicate, or nourish
- the liquid so introduced
early 15c., via Medieval Latin, from Greek enema “injection,” from enienai “to send in, inject,” from en “in” (see en- (2)) + hienai “send” (cognate of Latin iacere; see jet (v.)).
n. pl. en•e•mas
- The injection of liquid into the rectum through the anus for cleansing, for stimulating evacuation of the bowels, or for other therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
- The fluid so injected.