atrophy
Also a·tro·phi·a [uh-troh-fee-uh]. /əˈtroʊ fi ə/. Pathology. a wasting away of the body or of an organ or part, as from defective nutrition or nerve damage.
degeneration, decline, or decrease, as from disuse: He argued that there was a progressive atrophy of freedom and independence of thought.
to affect with or undergo atrophy.
Origin of atrophy
1Other words from atrophy
- a·troph·ic [uh-trof-ik, uh-troh-fik], /əˈtrɒf ɪk, əˈtroʊ fɪk/, adjective
- non·a·troph·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use atrophy in a sentence
A muscle that is left without exercise softens and finally atrophies.
A Girl's Student Days and After | Jeannette MarksI can only conclude that it gradually atrophies, and finally vanishes without leaving a trace.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland BalfourTowards the close of this period the upper part of the cavity atrophies.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland BalfourIn Torpedo embryos the head-cavity is much smaller, and atrophies earlier than in the embryos of Pristiurus and Scyllium.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland BalfourIt is more developed in Scyllium than in Raja, but atrophies early in both genera.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 | Francis Maitland Balfour
British Dictionary definitions for atrophy
/ (ˈætrəfɪ) /
a wasting away of an organ or part, or a failure to grow to normal size as the result of disease, faulty nutrition, etc
any degeneration or diminution, esp through lack of use
to waste away or cause to waste away
Origin of atrophy
1Derived forms of atrophy
- atrophic (əˈtrɒfɪk), adjective
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
Scientific definitions for atrophy
[ ăt′rə-fē ]
A wasting or decrease in the size of an organ or tissue, as from death and reabsorption of cells, diminished proliferation of cells, pressure, lack of oxygen, malnutrition, decreased function, or hormonal changes.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for atrophy
[ (at-ruh-fee) ]
Notes for atrophy
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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