congestion

Meanings

1. The hindrance or blockage of the passage of something, for example a fluid, mixture, traffic, people, etc. (due to an excess of this or due to a partial or complete obstruction), resulting in overfilling or overcrowding.
2. An accumulation or buildup, the act of gathering into a heap or mass.
3. Blocking up of the capillary and other blood vessels, etc., in any locality or organ (often producing other morbid symptoms); local hypermic, active or passive.
4. An excess or accumulation of something.
5. An excess of traffic; usually not a complete standstill of traffic, so usually not synonymous with traffic jam.
6. An excess of mucus or fluid in the respiratory system; congestion of the lungs, or nasal congestion.
7. Edema, water retention, swelling, enlargement of a body part because of fluid retention in tissues and vessels.

Etymology

From late Middle English congestioun, from Old French [Term?], from Latin congestĭō (“heap, accumulation”), from congerō (“to bring together, accumulate, heap up”), formed by the root gerō (“to carry”) and the prefix con-.