rheum
noun
ˈrüm 
1
: a watery discharge from the mucous membranes especially of the eyes or nose
2
archaic : tears
rheumy
ˈrü-mē
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Amir began wheezing at night — once so badly that an ambulance was called — and woke up most mornings to find his eyes swollen shut with rheum. 
Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, 9 July 2018 This washes excess tear fluid that would form into rheum away into your eye’s tear drainage system, Dr. Kathuria explains. Korin Miller, SELF, 17 Jan. 2018
Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, 9 July 2018 This washes excess tear fluid that would form into rheum away into your eye’s tear drainage system, Dr. Kathuria explains. Korin Miller, SELF, 17 Jan. 2018 Word History
Etymology
Middle English reume, from Anglo-French, from Latin rheuma, from Greek, literally, flow, flux, from rhein to flow — more at stream
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
rheum 1 of 2
noun
ˈrüm
: a watery discharge from the mucous membranes especially of the eyes or nose
also : a condition (as a cold) marked by such discharge
Rheum
2 of 2noun
Rhe·um ˈrē-əm
: a genus of Asian herbs (family Polygonaceae) that have large leaves, small flowers, and a 3-winged fruit and that include the rhubarbs (as the Chinese rhubarb, R. officinale, and rhapontic, R. rhaponticum)