atrophy
Also a·tro·phi·a [uh-troh-fee-uh]. /əˈtroʊ fi ə/. Pathology. a wasting away of the body or of an organ or part, as from defective nutrition or nerve damage.
degeneration, decline, or decrease, as from disuse: He argued that there was a progressive atrophy of freedom and independence of thought.
to affect with or undergo atrophy.
Origin of atrophy
1Other words from atrophy
- a·troph·ic [uh-trof-ik, uh-troh-fik], /əˈtrɒf ɪk, əˈtroʊ fɪk/, adjective
- non·a·troph·ic, adjective
Words Nearby atrophy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use atrophy in a sentence
Zolgensma—which treats spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disease that damages nerve cells, leading to muscle decay—is currently the most expensive drug in the world.
Gene Therapies Are Almost Here, But Healthcare Isn’t Ready for Sky-High Prices | Kevin Doxzen | September 7, 2021 | Singularity HubTheir bodies begin to atrophy from malnourishment, and daily tasks like getting water or checking traps become much more of a struggle.
How the Reality Show ‘Alone’ Got Me Through the Pandemic | aweinberg | July 28, 2021 | Outside OnlineTheir weakness and pallor and mental atrophy and irregular heartbeats were in his mind akin to the etiolation of plants deprived of sunlight.
Those skills often remain undeveloped in modern societies because we can compensate for their atrophy through sophisticated technology.
Has technology made us worse hunters? | By Henry Bunn/Outdoor Life | October 27, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThe atrophy in my legs is terrible from taking so much time off, so it will be a tough recovery.
If pilots are not flying, their skills atrophy and that could put their lives in danger.
Still, the atrophy continued, as did the collapse of Vatican-backed dictatorships in Portugal, Spain and Latin America.
He was born with spinal muscular atrophy, which kills 50 percent of the babies diagnosed with it before the age of 2.
‘Miracle Boy Grows Up’: Ben Mattlin Speaks to Jay McInerney | Jay McInerney | December 22, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTFive-month-old Avery Lynn Canahuati died Monday of complications from spinal muscular atrophy.
‘Bucket List’ Baby Avery Canahuati: Facts About Spinal Muscular Atrophy | Andrew Carter | May 3, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTIt hinders the immune system, causes insomnia, and speeds the atrophy of the brain, to name a few.
But a prolonged use of the visual mechanism tends to hypertrophy—or atrophy, as the eyes of deep-sea fishes show.
Criminal Psychology | Hans GrossAnd to one of his class, there are many forces ever present to atrophy such simple, wholesome power of loving.
Within the Law | Marvin DanaWe may therefore conclude that its atrophy, like its development, takes place from before backwards.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland BalfourIn stage L it is still fairly large in the tail, though it has begun to atrophy anteriorly.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland BalfourIt is less developed than before, but is still present up to the period of the atrophy of the head-kidney.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland Balfour
British Dictionary definitions for atrophy
/ (ˈætrəfɪ) /
a wasting away of an organ or part, or a failure to grow to normal size as the result of disease, faulty nutrition, etc
any degeneration or diminution, esp through lack of use
to waste away or cause to waste away
Origin of atrophy
1Derived forms of atrophy
- atrophic (əˈtrɒfɪk), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for atrophy
[ ăt′rə-fē ]
A wasting or decrease in the size of an organ or tissue, as from death and reabsorption of cells, diminished proliferation of cells, pressure, lack of oxygen, malnutrition, decreased function, or hormonal changes.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for atrophy
[ (at-ruh-fee) ]
Notes for atrophy
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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