osteomalacia

[ os-tee-oh-muh-ley-shuh, -shee-uh, -see-uh ]

/ ˌɒs ti oʊ məˈleɪ ʃə, -ʃi ə, -si ə /

noun Pathology.

a condition characterized by softening of the bones with resultant pain, weakness, and bone fragility, caused by inadequate deposition of calcium or vitamin D.

Nearby words

osteology, osteolysis, osteoma, osteoma medullare, osteoma spongiosum, osteomalacia, osteomalacic, osteomalacic pelvis, osteomatoid, osteomere, osteometry

Origin of osteomalacia

From New Latin, dating back to 1815–25; see origin at osteo-, malacia

Related forms

os·te·o·ma·la·cial, os·te·o·ma·lac·ic

[os-tee-oh-muh-las-ik] /ˌɒs ti oʊ məˈlæs ɪk/, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is an acquired disease which causes marked softening and changes in the bones.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern
Mr. V. Canyre spoke about softening the bones of ideas (osteomalacia), against which such a propaganda must work in the school.
The Future Belongs to the People|Karl Liebknecht
Degeneration of the bone tissue: Rickets, Osteomalacia and similar diseases.
Valere Aude|Louis Dechmann
Osteogenesis imperfecta and osteomalacia are disorders of dietetic or metabolic origin characterized by fragility of the bones.
Scurvy Past and Present|Alfred Fabian Hess

In osteomalacia and in the absorption of bone the mucous degeneration of the bone-cartilage plays an important part.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various

British Dictionary definitions for osteomalacia

osteomalacia

/ (ˌɒstɪəʊməˈleɪʃɪə) /

noun

a disease in adults characterized by softening of the bones, resulting from a deficiency of vitamin D and of calcium and phosphorus

Derived Forms

osteomalacial or osteomalacic (ˌɒstɪəʊməˈlæsɪk), adjective

Word Origin for osteomalacia

C19: from New Latin, from osteo- + Greek malakia softness

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 osteomalacia

osteomalacia

[ ŏs′tē-ō-mə-lā′shə ]

n.

A bone disease characterized by bone demineralization due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of vitamin D or phosphates. adult rickets late rickets