cirrhosis

[ si-roh-sis ]

nounPathology.
  1. a disease of the liver characterized by increase of connective tissue and alteration in gross and microscopic makeup.

Origin of cirrhosis

1
1830–40; <Greek kirrh(ós) orange-tawny + -osis

Other words from cirrhosis

  • cir·rhot·ic [si-rot-ik], /sɪˈrɒt ɪk/, adjective
  • cir·rhosed, adjective

Words that may be confused with cirrhosis

Words Nearby cirrhosis

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How to use cirrhosis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cirrhosis

cirrhosis

/ (sɪˈrəʊsɪs) /


noun
  1. any of various progressive diseases of the liver, characterized by death of liver cells, irreversible fibrosis, etc: caused by inadequate diet, excessive alcohol, chronic infection, etc: Also called: cirrhosis of the liver

Origin of cirrhosis

1
C19: New Latin, from Greek kirrhos orange-coloured + -osis; referring to the appearance of the diseased liver

Derived forms of cirrhosis

  • cirrhosed, adjective
  • cirrhotic (sɪˈrɒtɪk), 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 cirrhosis

cirrhosis

[ sĭ-rōsĭs ]


  1. A chronic disease of the liver characterized by the replacement of normal tissue with scar tissue and the loss of functional liver cells. It is most commonly caused by chronic alcohol abuse, but can also result from nutritional deprivation or infection, especially by the hepatitis virus.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for cirrhosis

cirrhosis

[ (suh-roh-sis) ]


A chronic disease of the liver, characterized by replacement of normal liver cells with a form of connective tissue. Owing to the scarring caused by this disease, irreversible damage to the liver can result.

Notes for cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is often associated with alcoholism.

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.