lordosis

[ lawr-doh-sis ]

noun
  1. Pathology. an abnormal forward curvature of the spine in the lumbar region, resulting in a swaybacked posture.: Compare kyphosis, scoliosis.

  2. a posture assumed by some female mammals during mating, in which the back arches downward.

Origin of lordosis

1
1695–1705; <New Latin <Greek lórdōsis literally, a bending back, equivalent to lord(ós) bent backwards + -ōsis-osis

Other words from lordosis

  • lor·dot·ic [lawr-dot-ik], /lɔrˈdɒt ɪk/, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for lordosis

lordosis

/ (lɔːˈdəʊsɪs) /


noun
  1. pathol forward curvature of the lumbar spine: congenital or caused by trauma or disease: Nontechnical name: hollow-back Compare kyphosis, scoliosis

  2. zoology concave arching of the back occurring in many female animals during sexual stimulation

Origin of lordosis

1
C18: New Latin from Greek lordōsis, from lordos bent backwards

Derived forms of lordosis

  • lordotic (lɔːˈdɒtɪk), 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