What does -rrhage mean?

• A. Excessive flow
• B. Burst forth
• C. Suture repair
• D. Red

Answer: (A)

The suffix -rrhage denotes a bursting forth or rapid discharge, usually of blood. It comes from Greek, meaning to burst forth. So in medical terms, it embodies the act of something spilling out or flowing out quickly. That makes the best choice the one that captures the action itself: burst forth. While “excessive flow” describes what can result, the suffix’s core idea is the act of bursting forth, not just the amount. The other options don’t fit: suture repair would relate to a different suffix (like -rhaphy), and red would be linked to color roots such as -rhod- or erythro-.