amyloid

American  

[am-uh-loid] / ˈæm əˌlɔɪd /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a waxy, translucent substance, composed primarily of protein fibers, that is deposited in various organs of animals in certain diseases.

2. a nonnitrogenous food consisting especially of starch.

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adjective

1. Also amyloidal of, resembling, or containing amylum.

amyloid British  

/ ˈæmɪˌlɔɪd /

noun

1. pathol a complex protein resembling starch, deposited in tissues in some degenerative diseases

2. any substance resembling starch

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adjective

1. starchlike

amyloid Scientific  

/ ăm′ə-loid′ /

1. A hard waxy substance consisting of protein and polysaccharides that results from the degeneration of tissue and is deposited in organs or tissues of the body in various chronic diseases.

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1. Starchlike.

Etymology

Origin of amyloid

First recorded in 1855–60; amyl- + -oid

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

amyloid

"If the latter is true, it suggests it is important to continue developing drugs that target processes other than amyloid plaque accumulation. But we need more research on this," says Anders Martin Fjell.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026

Labcorp, a lab services company, said the test is an important tool for clinicians to rule in or rule out amyloid pathology in people showing signs of cognitive decline.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

It provides positive, intermediate and negative result categories to support doctors assessing the likelihood of amyloid pathology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

The findings revealed two major routes by which the glymphatic system removes particles from the brain, including amyloid beta proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease -- and the speeds of those routes are dramatically different.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 13, 2026

These appearances have given rise to the term waxy degeneration, which suggests a possibility of confusion with the earlier recognized waxy degeneration of organs, due to the presence of amyloid material.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various