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arthritis

American  
[ahr-thrahy-tis] / ɑrˈθraɪ tɪs /

noun

  1. acute or chronic inflammation of a joint, often accompanied by pain and structural changes and having diverse causes, as infection, crystal deposition, or injury.


arthritis British  
/ ɑːˈθraɪtɪs, ɑːˈθrɪtɪk /

noun

  1. inflammation of a joint or joints characterized by pain and stiffness of the affected parts, caused by gout, rheumatic fever, etc See also rheumatoid arthritis

"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

arthritis Scientific  
/ är-thrītĭs /
  1. Acute or chronic inflammation of one or more joints, usually accompanied by pain and stiffness, resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, autoimmune disease, or other causes.

  2. See also osteoarthritis rheumatoid arthritis


arthritis Cultural  
  1. The inflammation of tissues in the joints (such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), usually resulting in pain and stiffness.


Usage

Rather than talking about an arthritic or arthritics , it is better to talk about a person with arthritis and people with arthritis

Other Word Forms

  • arthritic adjective

Etymology

Origin of arthritis

First recorded in 1535–45; from New Latin, from Greek: “gout,” from árthr(on) “joint” ( arthro- ) + -ītis -itis

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Also posted to the “We’re Not Gonna Take It” singer’s Instagram account, the statement said that Snider “has had several surgeries over the years” to help manage his degenerative arthritis.

From Los Angeles Times

This condition, known as psoriatic arthritis, can cause lasting damage to bones and joints if it is not treated.

From Science Daily

As a dog owner, he said he felt some guilt that Mr. Tillman has had to endure this pain, which has worsened due to arthritis.

From Los Angeles Times

While the drugs have some overlap in the conditions they treat, such as Crohn’s disease and psoriatic arthritis, they belong to different medication classes and are administered differently.

From Barron's

Haemochromatosis is a hereditary disease that causes a dangerous build-up of iron in the body and if left untreated can lead to liver cancer and arthritis.

From BBC