piles (n.)

"hemorrhoids," early 15c., from Medieval Latin pili "piles," which is of uncertain origin, perhaps from Latin pila "ball" (see pill (n.)) and so called from shape.

Entries linking to piles

pill (n.)

c. 1400, pille, "globular or ovoid mass of medicinal substance of a size convenient for swallowing," from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German pille and Old French pile, all from Latin pilula "pill," literally "little ball," diminutive of pila "a ball, playing ball," which is perhaps related to pilus "hair" if the original notion was "hairball."

The figurative sense "something disagreeable that must be accepted ('swallowed')" is from 1540s. The slang meaning "disagreeable or objectionable person, bore," is by 1871. The pill "contraceptive pill" is from 1957.

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Definitions of piles

piles (n.)

venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter;

Synonyms: hemorrhoid / haemorrhoid

piles (n.)

a large number or amount;

Synonyms: tons / dozens / heaps / lots / scores / stacks / loads / rafts / slews / wads / oodles / gobs / scads / lashings

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near piles

pilchard

pilcrow

pile

pileated

pile-driver

piles

pile-up

pilfer

pilferage

pilgrim

pilgrimage