Definition of "rheumatic" [rheu•mat•ic]

• Of, relating to, or suffering from rheumatism. (adjective)
• One who is affected by rheumatism. (noun)
• Informal Pains caused by rheumatism. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Doctors believe that there is a genetic factor in rheumatic fever: Some families are much more likely to develop it."
• "Our knowledge should also enable us to diminish or change unwanted immune reactions towards the body's own tissue, such as those occurring in rheumatic diseases."
• ""It would indicate," Thorndyke replied, "that the deceased had probably suffered from rheumatoid arthritis -- what is commonly known as rheumatic gout -- and he would probably have limped slightly and complained of some pain in the right hip.""