A pathological condition caused by painful masses of dilated veins in swollen anal tissue.
"I hope the worst is behind me". - France's midfielder Florent Malouds reveals he had an operation for haemorrhoids shortly after arriving in Germany for the World Cup" Argus 17 June 2006 p.14
(often in the plural) An engorged, dilated and easily broken varicosity in the perianal area, often accompanied by intense itching and throbbing pain: piles.