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necrosis

[ nuh-kroh-sis, ne- ]
/ nəˈkroʊ sɪs, nɛ- /
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See synonyms for: necrosis / necrotic on Thesaurus.com

noun
death of a circumscribed portion of animal or plant tissue.

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Origin of necrosis

First recorded in 1655–65; from New Latin, from Greek nékrōsis “mortification, state of death”; see origin at necr-, -osis

OTHER WORDS FROM necrosis

ne·crot·ic [nuh-krot-ik, ne-], /nəˈkrɒt ɪk, nɛ-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use necrosis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for necrosis

necrosis
/ (nɛˈkrəʊsɪs) /

noun
the death of one or more cells in the body, usually within a localized area, as from an interruption of the blood supply to that part
death of plant tissue due to disease, frost, etc

Derived forms of necrosis

necrotic (nɛˈkrɒtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for necrosis

C17: New Latin from Greek nekrōsis, from nekroun to kill, from nekros corpse
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 necrosis

necrosis
[ nə-krōsĭs ]

The death of cells or tissues from severe injury or disease, especially in a localized area of the body. Causes of necrosis include inadequate blood supply (as in infarcted tissue), bacterial infection, traumatic injury, and hyperthermia.

Other words from necrosis

necrotic adjective (nə-krŏtĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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