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hypoplasia

American  
[hahy-puh-pley-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh] / ˌhaɪ pəˈpleɪ ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə /
Also hypoplasty

noun

  1. Pathology. abnormal deficiency of cells or structural elements.

  2. (in plants) inability to mature properly owing to a disease or inadequate supply of nutrients.


hypoplasia British  
/ ˌhaɪpəʊˈplæzɪə, ˈhaɪpəʊˌplæstɪ, ˌhaɪpəʊˈplæstɪk /

noun

  1. pathol incomplete development of an organ or part

"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

Other Word Forms

  • hypoplastic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hypoplasia

First recorded in 1895–1900; hypo- + -plasia

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.

He was born with a condition called renal hypoplasia, which prevented his own kidneys from fully developing.

From Scientific American

She was born with bilateral tibial hypoplasia, meaning her legs were underdeveloped and were subsequently amputated above the knee when she was 18 months old.

From BBC

Many of the cats she adopts have cerebellar hypoplasia, also known as wobbly cat syndrome, which is a neurological condition caused by infection before birth.

From BBC

Dr. Beatrice has found linear enamel hypoplasia — grooves in the teeth that indicate generalized physiological stress — in virtually every mouth.

From New York Times

When she got the diagnosis of optic nerve hypoplasia, she and her husband, Mark, a Boeing employee, were devastated.

From Seattle Times