ptosis

American  

[toh-sis] / ˈtoʊ sɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. a drooping of the upper eyelid.

2. prolapse or drooping of any organ.

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ptosis British  

/ ˈtəʊsɪs, ˈtɒtɪk /

noun

1. prolapse or drooping of a part, esp the eyelid

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Other Word Forms

• ptotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of ptosis

1735–45; < New Latin < Greek ptṓsis a falling

Example Sentences

Doctors at Sunderland Royal Hospital were initially baffled and diagnosed her with ptosis, an eye condition characterised by the drooping of the upper eyelid, and told her to go home to rest.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

This process is called pyroptosis, from the Latin "pyro" for fire and the Greek "ptosis" for falling off, like the leaves of a tree.

From Salon • Nov. 2, 2022

The 2-year-old from the Ivory Coast was born with closed eyelids, a condition known as bilateral congenital eyelid ptosis, often referred to as drooping eyelids.

From Washington Times • Dec. 25, 2014

I have since heard that he submitted to an operation either for the breaking up of some adhesions around his stomach or in order to tuck up that organ for ptosis.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

The most prominent symptoms of complete paralysis are ptosis or drooping of the upper eyelid, lateral strabismus, and slight downward rotation of the eye with diplopia.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander