arthritic

[ahr-thrit-ik]

adjective

1. relating to, having, or experiencing arthritis.

2. creaky, slow-moving, misshapen, etc., as if affected with arthritis: The road was overhung with what looked like arthritic trees, warped and bent to the whims of the wind.

   The next few days passed at the speed of an arthritic tortoise.

   The road was overhung with what looked like arthritic trees, warped and bent to the whims of the wind.

noun

1. a person with arthritis.

Other Word Forms

• arthritically adverb
• antiarthritic adjective
• postarthritic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arthritic¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin arthrīticus, from Greek arthrītikós; replacing Middle English artetik, from Old French artetique, from Latin, as above; arthr-, -itic

Example Sentences

O’Neal was playing with a badly aching arthritic big toe, a sprained wrist and a handful of unlisted bangs and bruises.

From Los Angeles Times

“Let the Golden Age of America begin,” Trump hissed like an arthritic snake just before his administration played whack-a-mole with 1300 full time employees in the Department of education.

From Salon

Perhaps surprisingly, given the inflammatory pathways discussed above, the researchers also found a heightened risk of arthritic disorders in patients using GLP-1 drugs, compared to usual treatment.

From Salon

He retired afterward because of an arthritic left elbow.

From Los Angeles Times

An arthritic joint may be uncomfortable to strength train, but inactivity leads to stiffness, which can make pain worse.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• creaky 
• rigid 
• solid 
• stark 
• tense 
• thick 
• tight 
• wooden