sty, (2), stye

[A contract. of stigend =swelling, rising, properly pres. par. of stigan =to rise, to climb. The full form was stigend edge = swelling eye, which was corrupted into styany, which was afterward mistaken for sty on eye; Low Ger. stig, stige; Norw.stig, sti, stigje, from stiga to rise.] A small inflammatory tumor of the nature of a boil on the edge of the eyelid, most frequently near the inner angle of the eye. 3899