amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

[ ey-mahy-uh-trof-ik, -troh-fik, ey-mahy-uh- ]

/ ˌeɪ maɪ əˈtrɒf ɪk, -ˈtroʊ fɪk, eɪˌmaɪ ə- /

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noun Pathology.

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

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Also called Lou Gehrig's disease.

Origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

First recorded in 1885–90; a-⁶ + myo- + -trophic

Words nearby amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

amyosthenia, amyotaxy, amyotonia, amyotonia congenita, amyotrophia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, amyotrophy, amyous, Amytal, Amythaon, amyxia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a sentence

Tokyo-based DAWN, or Diverse Avatar Working Network, is a cafe staffed by robots operated remotely by people with severe physical disabilities like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
A Japanese robot cafe shows how avatars can foster human connection|Anne Quito|November 18, 2021|Quartz
Keough died in 1985, at 55, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, making him among the first of the former hostages to die.
40 years later, a dwindling band of Iran hostages awaits a promised payment|Anne Gearan|September 27, 2021|Washington Post
Holly was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, a nervous system illness that weakens muscle and physical function.
A sick mother, a loving son, a signed Ovechkin jersey — and how the Caps tried to help|Kyle Melnick|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Such diseases include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Tourette syndrome, but also ones like malaria that are rare in the US but are major killers globally.
How to fix the orphan drug problem driving up medical costs|Nicole Hassoun|January 14, 2021|Quartz

One of the plaintiffs is Melissa Davenport, a woman with multiple sclerosis.
The Town Where Your Sex Toy Could Land You in Jail|Emily Shire, Lizzie Crocker|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lateral Squats - For this variation, you step to the side as your do your squats.
Squats: The Absolutely Incredible Secret to Staying in Shape|Ari Meisel|January 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
U.S. policy stipulates that military coups trigger an automatic cutoff of bi-lateral military assistance.
Egypt: That Was A Coup|Ali Gharib|July 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the absence of a bi-lateral breakthrough, Israel should use the Arab Peace Initiative (API) to break the ice.
5 Arab Spring Opportunities For Israel|Nimrod Goren, Elie Podeh|June 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
One never sees lateral passing these days -- instead it's plunge or pass.
Peter Worthington on Thinking Outside the Box|David Frum|May 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The height of the tower from the level of the street is 105 feet, the slated towers over the lateral pediments being smaller.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
While a person has the natural right also to the lateral support of his land, yet he cannot use it to the injury of another.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
The owner of land adjoining a highway has no right to the lateral support of the soil of the street.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
Sometimes these traps were weirs or by-washes, made of long lateral tanks of wicker-work.
Mrs. Falchion, Complete|Gilbert Parker
The pillars are strengthened against lateral yielding by horizontal and diagonal bracing.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

British Dictionary definitions for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

/ (ˌæmɪəʊˈtrəʊfɪk) /

noun

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

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

Medical definitions for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

[ ā-mī′ə-trŏf′ĭk, -trō′fĭk ]

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

Scientific definitions for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

[ ā′mī-ə-trō′fĭk, -ə-trŏf′ĭk, ā-mī′- ]

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.