scoliosis
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of scoliosis
First recorded in 1700–10, scoliosis is from the Greek word skolíōsis a bending
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Explanation
When a person's spine curves to the side, he or she has a medical condition called scoliosis. A human spine, or backbone, is usually straight; when it curves in an S or C shape, it's often because of scoliosis. When a patient is diagnosed with scoliosis, he or she receives physical therapy and sometimes needs to wear a brace that helps to gradually straighten the spine. The Greek word skoliosis literally means "crookedness," from the root skolios, "bent or crooked."
Vocabulary lists containing scoliosis
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scoliosis is a condition where the spine twists and curves to the side.
From BBC • May 18, 2025
Scoliosis has twisted Ada’s spine; she wears an iron corset to correct her posture, until it flies off of its own accord.
From Slate • Nov. 6, 2015
Scoliosis is an abnormal, lateral curvature, accompanied by twisting of the vertebral column.
From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013
Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine that occurs mainly in young children and adolescents.
From US News • Apr. 19, 2012
“Izzy, sit up straight,” she would say at the dinner table, thinking: Scoliosis.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
