Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

[ey-mahy-uh-trof-ik, -troh-fik, ey-mahy-uh-]
See more synonyms for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on Thesaurus.com
noun Pathology.
  1. an incurable disease of unknown cause in which progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord leads to atrophy and eventually complete paralysis of the voluntary muscles. Abbreviation: ALS
Show More

Origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

First recorded in 1885–90; a-6 + myo- + -trophic
Also called Lou Gehrig's disease.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

noun
  1. a form of motor neurone disease in which degeneration of motor tracts in the spinal cord causes progressive muscular paralysis starting in the limbsAlso called: Lou Gehrig's disease
Show More
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

Word Origin and History for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

n.

by 1881, from French, first word from Greek a-, privative prefix, + mys, myos "muscle" (see muscle (n.)) + trophikos "feeding," from trophe "nourishment" (see -trophy). Often known in U.S. as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the New York Yankees baseball player (1903-1941) who was diagnosed with it in 1939.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Medicine

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(ā-mī′ə-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk)
n.
  1. A disease of the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord, causing progressive muscular atrophy, increased reflexes, fibrillary twitching, and spastic irritability of muscles.Charcot's disease Lou Gehrig's disease
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Science

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

[ā′mī-ə-trō′fĭk, -ə-trŏf′ĭk, ā-mī′-]
  1. A chronic, progressive neurologic disease marked by gradual degeneration of the neurons in the spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy and usually results in death. Also called Lou Gehrig's disease, after the American baseball player (1903-41) who was the first public figure to suffer from the disease.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.