osteomalacia

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

/ ˌɒs ti oʊ məˈleɪ ʃə, -ʃi ə, -si ə /

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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.

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Origin of osteomalacia

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

OTHER WORDS FROM osteomalacia

os·te·o·ma·la·cial, os·te·o·ma·lac·ic

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

Words nearby osteomalacia

osteogenesis imperfecta, osteogenic, osteoid, osteology, osteoma, osteomalacia, osteometry, osteomyelitis, osteopath, osteopathy, osteopetrosis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use osteomalacia in a sentence

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
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
Osteogenesis imperfecta and osteomalacia are disorders of dietetic or metabolic origin characterized by fragility of the bones.
Scurvy Past and Present|Alfred Fabian Hess
Degeneration of the bone tissue: Rickets, Osteomalacia and similar diseases.
Valere Aude|Louis Dechmann

Osteomalacia is an acquired disease which causes marked softening and changes in the bones.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry|Maximilian Stern

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 of osteomalacia

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