dystrophy

[ dis-truh-fee ]

/ ˈdɪs trə fi /

noun

Medicine/Medical. faulty or inadequate nutrition or development.

Pathology. any of a number of disorders characterized by weakening, degeneration, or abnormal development of muscle.

Ecology. the state of being dystrophic.

Nearby words

dystrophic, dystrophic calcification, dystrophication, dystrophin, dystrophoneurosis, dystrophy, dysuria, dysversion, dytiscid, dyula, dyushambe

Also dys·tro·phi·a

[dih-stroh-fee-uh] /dɪˈstroʊ fi ə/.

Origin of dystrophy

From the New Latin word dystrophia, dating back to 1885–90. See dys-, -trophy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for dystrophia

dystrophy

dystrophia (dɪˈstrəʊfɪə)

/ (ˈdɪstrəfɪ) /

noun

any of various bodily disorders, characterized by wasting of tissuesSee also muscular dystrophy

ecology a condition of lake water when it is too acidic and poor in oxygen to support life, resulting from excessive humus content

Derived Formsdystrophic (dɪsˈtrɒfɪk), adjective

Word Origin for dystrophy

C19: New Latin dystrophia, from dys- + Greek trophē food

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

Medicine definitions for dystrophia

dystrophy

[ dĭs′trə-fē ]

n.

A degenerative disorder caused by inadequate or defective nutrition.

Any of several disorders, especially muscular dystrophy, in which the muscles weaken and atrophy.

Related formsdys•troph′ic (dĭ-strŏf′ĭk, -strō′fĭk) adj.